Female Breadwinners Are on the Rise

Equivalent Earnings

According to new data from the Pew Research Center, women in 45% of today’s opposite-sex marriages earn just as much or more than their husbands. This is a big shift from 50 years ago when men were the sole breadwinners in 85% of same-sex households.

The change isn’t so much from one gender to the other as breadwinner but more couples earning the same. More than half of married couples in this latest research report the husband as the primary income earner, while just 16% of these households consider the wife the breadwinner and 29% say it’s an even split.

Is There an Ideal Breakdown?

When it came to what Americans think women and men want, there were some differences. Pew Research analysis shows nearly half of respondents said most men prefer to earn more than their wives and only 3% said most men would want a woman to outearn them. While only 22% of those surveyed said they believe most women want a man to outearn them and 7% said most women want to outearn their husbands.

Regardless of what the public thinks men and women want, the research shows the number of women earning more than their husbands has more than tripled from 5% to 16% since 1972. Alternatively, the number of husbands holding sole breadwinner status (where the wife reports no earnings) has dropped from 49% to 23%.

The End Result

Research shows that despite the increase of a woman’s earnings, she still maintains the majority of household and caregiving responsibilities. On average, women spend 4.5 hours more on caregiving and household chores than their husbands, who in turn find 3.5 more hours of leisure activities per day than their wives.

Overall, Pew found that families with dual earners had the highest income. And, as recent studies have also shown, sometimes money can indeed buy happiness.

Looking for more stories like this? Check out On the Money — SoFi’s one-stop-shop for news, trends, and tips!

Check it out

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.
The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.
Communication of SoFi Wealth LLC an SEC Registered Investment Advisor
SoFi isn’t recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.
SOSS23041702