The structure and dynamics of the American family has seen a lot of changes over the course of time. Today, working mothers are gradually becoming the breadwinners in about 40% of households in the United States of America. According to the findings of the study that was released Wednesday, the percentage of U.S. moms primarily supporting their families has multiplied four times since the 1960s when only about 11% of moms did so.
In a statement given by Kim Parker, associate director of the Pew Social & Demographic Trends Projects, she pointed out that the evolution of the family structure concerning the responsibilities of its members in America has been slowly changing over the past half century. She also added that the rising number of breadwinner moms is a clear indication that they are nowadays bestowed with more responsibilities not only in the careers they have chosen but also at home, over and beyond the traditional roles assigned to women.
Factors affecting the change
The US economy has undergone a lot of changes over the past 50 years. Just a few years ago, the economy was hit by recession and a lot of American homes were greatly affected in more ways than one.
Male workers supporting their families were laid off either because the company they were working for needed to cut losses or had to close. The male workforce was immensely crushed especially those working in construction and heavy machinery jobs. This has placed working mothers ahead of their husbands, even women who were only earning at mid-range. The change in roles was so drastic that not everyone was able to cope easily. As the state of the economy worsened, the role of mothers in supporting their family has become more distinct and more established. However, the Pew Research Center could not ascertain if the financial crisis has indeed directly affected the dramatic change.
Mom power
The point of view that mothers are fit only for household chores, though still very much the norm, is very nearly obsolete. The past half century has proven the point – that there is no distinction between the sexes when it comes to supporting the family. Mothers are no longer tied to the notion that they only belong at home. This is especially true for single moms that work tireless hours in order to support their children.
In relation to this, statistical data clearly shows that high earning moms tend to be older than their spouses and have a college degree while most single moms tend to be younger and were not able to finish their studies.
A mother’s role
According to the Pew Research Center, since 2007, more women have preferred to have a full time job than having no job at all. The survey also included those who already have children and who have a spouse with a stable job. However, not everyone in society favor the new path that modern mothers are taking. Some see this change in a positive manner while others believe that this may have some untoward effects when it comes to raising children and taking care of the family as a whole. Those who do not favor mothers taking on full time jobs stated that children could only be monitored and guided closely if mothers would stay at home.
Photo Credit: Mother and Daughter
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google+
LinkedIn
Email