Mothers Are Becoming Primary Breadwinners

Parents face many decisions regarding what is best for their children. One such decision is who will be the child’s primary caregiver. Many families traditionally choose to have the mother of the family stay home while the father pursues a professional career. Recently, more families have been choosing to put their children in daycare so both parents are able to work outside the home.

A recent study shows that fewer women are staying home with their kids than ever before. Further, a rising number of mothers are becoming the primary income earners in their homes. According to the Pew Research Center, which studied Census data of United States families, women are now the primary breadwinner in about 40 percent of US households.

The study defined “breadwinner” as which partner made the most money, including married women who made more than their husbands, and single mothers. Many single women, according to the study, make significantly less than their married counterparts. This suggests that single women may face additional strain in finding a way to support their families while being the sole care-givers to their children.

For parents going through a divorce, child or spousal support can become part of the equation. If you have primary custody of your child, you can seek child support even if you were never married to the child’s other parent. Through child support, many divorced parents find it possible to both care for their children and pursue demanding careers. Speak with an attorney experienced in Family Law to learn more about this process.