I think one answer would be: In 1956, 1966 1976
How much of an income did a man have to make to support a family? (let's look at some TV families for instance)
Wife 3 kids and a dog? How much money did
Father's know Best make to support his family?
What about Ward Cleaver the Beav's dad? how much money for his family?
What about Mr Brady? he had an extended family and a maid on top of it? how much money did he bring in??
Fast forward to 2006 could most men afford to take care of a family like the ones of old? I would say proably Not...
I think you're the first person to hit on the key element here... the economy is no longer geared to a single-breadwinner family, but rather to a two-earner family. Thus if the man alone works, he'd better have a damned good income to support a family at modern middle-class standards.
Fast forward to 2006 could most men afford to take care of a family like the ones of old? I would say proably Not...
most couples with only a dog in the family can today.
We're retired but both worked, both contributed to retirement, both equal regardless of whose paycheck was larger. Our only luxury was a part time housekeeper who also helped with the kids when younger. We made it with one car, a small house and kids who participated in the overall family effort.
In the end it is the quality of the man or the woman and their commitment to each other.
I would be really lost without my wife.