So, which is it? Do we miss the days when one earner could support a family...

[Recursion]

... or do we lament the decline of the labor participation rate?

We can't do both.

[whatthehey]

1. Well that and the earlier expansion of careers where women could be hired at all.

The lowest in the mid 50s certainly wasn't wonderful (and we also have to remember the average house was 2/3 the size at best. Whether we think that progress or regress it was certainly cheaper to support) but I also recall pre-DU internet grumblings in the peak LFPR days that it was terrible that both partners had to work. As usual nobody's happy, even though data show the huge part of the LFPR drop is due to greater numbers retiring or staying in school. Terrible direction in both cases to doomers. Good for the sensible though.

[EL34x4]

2. A single earner supports my family

I'm an E-6 in the military and my wife is a stay-at-home mother of three. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics counts her among the unemployed and not looking, she works a lot harder than I do.

Our single wage can support our family in relative comfort because we choose not to spend money on day care and excess wear and tear on our second vehicle, a 2014 Toyota minivan. I drive a 2010 Corolla. Also, we rarely eat out. My wife is pretty thrifty. We still have nice things though; the latest high tech gadgets and what-not. We own a modest four bedroom home, purchased new, in a nice subdivision.

It also helps that health care for my family costs me nothing more than gas money.

So, yes, there are still single-earner families still out there making do.

[Recursion]

3. More than at any point since about 1961, in fact (nt)

[whatthehey]

4. Mine too, although technically not in the last few weeks

My wife has been picking up some short shifts in her friend's shop more for company during the day than for real income, but yes it's technically employment. For a while before that we were single income. And yes she certainly worked more than I do even then.

[annabanana]

7. I'm guessing you're not in the NY Metro area..

There is no such thing as a modest FOUR bedroom home.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. I love the smell of false dichotomy in the morning.

[Recursion]

6. "False"?

So you want a single earner to be able to support a family, but not do so?

[mythology]

8. As a guy, I don't miss those days

I couldn't imagine marrying a woman who would feel comfortable being a stay at home parent (not that I plan to have kids). Ignoring the fact that it wasn't really a choice for women to not work, but what I look for in a partner who is curious and engaged with the world. I tend to be very introverted and if she was at home all the time, we'd never do anything.

[user_name]

9. Doesn't mean that the woman stays at home...

My husband and I have switched off staying at home with our child. Doing so has saved us having to pay for child care and allowed us to have a uniquely close relationship with our child. Staying home doesn't mean that you are not curious or engaged in the world. It simply means that work is not your only interest. Both my husband and I agree that the years spent at home were the most challenging and rewarding that we spent.

[kcr]

10. Yes, this.

Also, most people, whether they stay at home or work, do not make these choices 100% freely of their own choice. There are so many factors that go into these decisions. The notion that a stay-at-home mom is someone who isn't curious or engaged with the world is prejudicial.

[kcr]

11. And I can't imagine marrying someone who is prejudiced.

It simply isn't true that stay at home parents aren't by their nature curious and engaged in the world. There is a lot that goes into whether or not a parent works outside of the home. Very few have made that decision simply because they're lazy and lack ambition. You would be surprised how may have done so not because it was their own personal choice. By the way, that stereotype makes it really hard to go back into the workforce. It's a shame.

[JI7]

13. what if she did volunteer work, read more, worked on personal hobby etc ?

?

There are many ways people can be curious and engaged with the world.

Plus it would make travel easier.

[GulfCoast66]

12. Growing up we lived

In an 1,100 square foot house. Had one car. A 14 foot Jon boat. A washer dryer and a 19" Black and White tv. Vacations were trips to the grand parents. We never ate out. I mean never. This started changing when I was 10 and dad was able to begin capitalizing on his new PH.D.

I imagine a good many more households could get by with single earners living that way.

But I also totally agree we need a much higher minimum wage. So 2 earner households can gain more benefit for their work.

[Starry Messenger]

14. Why is everyone married in this scenario?

Lots of single parents who need unions.

[The2ndWheel]

15. Funny way to put that