Why men and women stay at home to mind their children

26% of mothers and 7% of fathers in the US are stay-at-home parents, according to a new research. Over the past 30 years, the share of fathers who were not working has increased while the share of unemployed mothers has slightly decreased. However, men and women stay at home for different reasons. While one every five mothers said they stay at home because they wanted to take care of their family, only one every sixty fathers claimed to same.

The Pew Research Center conducted an analysis to examine the employment status of parents in the United States and to understand the differences between stay-at-home parents and those who work for pay. The study used data from Current Population Survey (CPS), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPS is a monthly survey of around 70,000 households and serves as the official source of unemployment statistics.

For this analysis, parents were defined as individuals aged 18 to 69 who lived with at least one of their own children under the age of 18. Stay-at-home parents were those who had not been employed for pay in the year leading up to the survey.

The study found that the proportion of parents in the U.S. who were not employed remained relatively stable over the past five years, with 18% of parents not working for pay in 2021, a figure consistent with 2016. However, there was a significant gender disparity in the prevalence of stay-at-home parents, with 26% of mothers and only 7% of fathers falling into this category.

The analysis revealed somewhat shifting trends over the past three decades. The percentage of mothers not employed decreased slightly from 28% in 1989 to 26% in 2021, while the corresponding figure for fathers increased from 4% to 7%. Consequently, dads now represent 18% of stay-at-home parents, up from 11% in 1989.

The reasons cited for not working differed substantially between stay-at-home mothers and fathers. A significant majority of stay-at-home mothers (79%) reported taking care of home or family as their reason for not working, whereas around one-in-ten cited illness, disability, being students, inability to find work, or retirement. On the other hand, stay-at-home fathers had a more diverse range of reasons, with 23% staying home for family care, 34% due to illness or disability (noticeably down from 56% in 1989), 13% retired, 13% unable to find work, and 8% attending school.

This means that one out of five of all mothers mentioned the care for their family as their reason to stay at home, while only one out 60 of all fathers did the same.

Demographically, stay-at-home fathers differed from those in paid work. They were less likely to have completed a bachelor's degree (22% compared to 42% of working dads) and were more likely to live in poverty (40% compared to 5% of working fathers). Stay-at-home fathers tended to be older, with 46% aged 45 or older compared to 35% of working fathers. Employed fathers are more likely to be married (85%) than those who stay at home (68%).

Dads who mentioned taking care of their family as the main reason to stay at home show distinct difference compared to those who stay for other reasons (illness, disability, unemployment, etc.) They are better educated, tend to be older, and 73% of them are married, whereas 66% of those with varied reasons share the same marital status.

In conclusion, the Pew Research Center's analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data highlighted the changes in the proportion of parents who are not employed, but also underscored the gender differences in stay-at-home parenting.

---

Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash

More Americans are unhappy because fewer are married

 

Happiness levels are declining in the United States, according to a new study, and one big factor seems to explain this, namely falling marriage rates. Conversely, married people are significantly happier than the unmarried. 

Sam Peltzman, professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, has studied trends and differences in happiness among the US population based on the General Social Survey (GSS) which has been collecting data about US adults since 1972.

Overall happiness levels are markedly down today compared with 50 years ago and the decline has been particularly steep since the early 2000s.

What is more, happiness levels differ by sex. Women were considerably happier than men in the 1970s after which point their happiness went into decline and declined more sharply than among men. The happiness level of both sexes is now about equal, but the question is, why were women happier in the early 1970s than today? Feminism should have had the opposite effect, surely?

According to the study, marriage stands out as the foremost indicator of happiness. The data collected since the 1970s reveal a consistent trend: the married population has been regularly 30 points happier than those who are unmarried. Notably, this pattern holds true for both men and women.

Among the unmarried categories including widowed, divorced, separated, and never married individuals, all of them exhibit significantly lower levels of happiness compared to the married population. Among these groups, separated individuals appear to be the least happy of all.

It is important to note that the study’s findings should not be simplistically interpreted as implying a direct cause-and-effect relationship, such as the notion that marriage inherently leads to happiness. It is plausible that individuals who are already unhappy might encounter challenges in finding a partner or maintaining a harmonious coexistence.

Nonetheless, the author of the research suggests that marriage and happiness share some common sources and the decline of marriage is linked to the trends in people’s contentment more than any other factor.

Marriage rates have fallen sharply in the US. In 1972, there were 10.9 new marriages per 1,000 adults, but this had plunged to just 6.5 in 2018. If marriage increases overall happiness levels (notwithstanding high divorce rates in the US), then it stands to reason that if marriage rates are falling, then so will average happiness.

Prof Peltzman comments: “The happiness landslide comes entirely from the married. Low happiness characterizes all types of non-married. No subsequent population categorization will yield so large a difference in happiness across so many people”.

Other socio-demographic characteristics are also significant but not to the same extent as marital status.

Income emerges as the second most important factor. As expected, the rich are happier than the poor. However, the richest band in US society is not happier than 50 years ago, even though it is wealthier. (This is because affluent people get used to their class status and do not appreciate marginal improvements.)

With regards to age, in the past happiness used to be higher for the over 45 group, with no significant difference between men and women, but this gap is disappearing. White people are happier than black, but the distance between them is narrowing. College graduates and those resident in the Northeast of the US are happier than the rest of the population. Conservatives are 10 point more satisfied than liberals but slightly less than politically moderates.

It is a pity that this study does not consider the role of religion. Other surveys have shown that religious faith and practice are positively associated with life satisfaction.

Prof. Sam Peltzman concludes that “any general analysis of happiness that ignores marital status is unlikely to be satisfactory.” He believes that research has focused too much on socio-demographic characteristics such as age, sex and education but this approach is unlikely to say much about significant trends within a society. Research and policies should concentrate instead on the positive role of marriage for individuals and for society.

Discussing proposals for Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in Ireland

 

Angelo Bottone · Discussing proposals for Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia in Ireland - 30 July 2023

Relationship breakdown is the main reason for families becoming homeless

Relationship breakdowns and family circumstances, rather than evictions, are the most common reasons for families entering emergency accommodation.

The number of people homeless has reached a new record high, according to recent data from the Department of Housing. As a response, politicians and activists are asking the Government to provide new social and affordable housing but the problem cannot be solved ignoring a major factor, i.e. family breakdown.

According to the Homeless Quarterly Progress Report, between April and June this year, the most common reason for family households seeking emergency accommodation is breakdown in relationships or changes in family circumstances.

Surprisingly, evictions or financial problems did not top the list of family cases leading to homelessness.

Family breakdown and change in circumstances, instead, were the leading reasons for homelessness in family households, accounting for 282 instances out of 972 total cases. These findings underscore the critical importance of addressing underlying family issues to prevent homelessness in the first place.

As local authorities now report the reasons for presentation in emergency accommodation, the true extent of the crisis has become more apparent, revealing a 24.5% increase in family presentations and a 32.5% surge in new families entering emergency accommodation.

While the report does not provide historical comparisons, it is clear that family-related issues play a significant role in driving people to homelessness.

In April this year, the ban on eviction came to an end, affecting both single and family households. The notice of termination has emerged as the leading reason for homelessness among single households. However, for family households, it is the second most cited reason. This suggests that the lifting of the eviction ban has disproportionately impacted individuals living alone, potentially pushing them into homelessness at a higher rate.

The figures presented in the report also underscore the crucial role of functional families in preventing homelessness, after eviction. When families remain intact and supportive, they act as a vital safety net for their members during difficult circumstances. Functional families provide emotional support, financial assistance, and even alternative accommodation options, reducing the likelihood of their members falling into homelessness.

Contrary to common beliefs, the report reveals that insufficient funds, affordability, or no income are not the most significant factors leading to homelessness among families. While financial issues undoubtedly contribute to homelessness, it is clear that relationship breakdowns and family circumstances play a more prominent role in pushing families into emergency accommodation.

A staggering 56% of families entering emergency accommodation are single-parent families, according to the report. This statistic highlights the vulnerability of single parents in the face of housing instability and homelessness.

Moreover, even if not the most significant factor, family breakdown still contributes to an increased demand for accommodation and put pressure on the system.

The latest data on family homelessness in Ireland unequivocally points to the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. Addressing the root causes, such as relationship breakdowns, family crises, together with the lack of affordable housing, is essential to prevent families from slipping into home emergencies.

The figures provided in the report call for a reevaluation of the homelessness debate. Family breakdowns should be given more prominent attention as a key factor contributing to homelessness. Policies and interventions aimed at preventing and addressing homelessness must consider the complex dynamics of family units and provide adequate support to families facing crises.