Role of Women As Primary Household Breadwinner Continues To Rise
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A record number of women are now the primary earners in their households, and that may be having an impact on people's attitudes in the working world.
New findings from the Pew Research Center indicate that women today are the primary breadwinners in 40 percent of households with children.
One woman we spoke with in center city Philadelphia said a lot has changed since she entered the workforce:
"I know that a lot of companies offer benefits, either flexible arrangements or discounted child care or even on-site child care, so I certainly think it's a lot different than when I needed it."
In 1960, women were the primary breadwinners in only 11 percent of households with children.
One man said it's not a shock to hear that women earn more than their male counterparts in such a large percentage of households.
"I was Mister Mom for three years when I got laid off and my wife had to go back to work," he told KYW Newsradio today, "so I did it, and it was great! Actually, a bad thing turned into a good thing because I got to spend a lot of time with my two boys."
So how will this these workforce changes potentially impact the working environment?
"I think there will be a lot more attention paid to the lifestyle choices that people have to make," the woman said. "I think sometimes it's hard for women to get ahead because you can't be there early, you can't be there late, and you've got to be there before the daycare closes."
