Despite a gender pay gap in the US, a third of American women now earn as much as their husbands, up from 12% in 1980. A study of 6,000 American heterosexual couples by the University of Bath found that men are most anxious when they are the sole breadwinner, and less stressed when their wives earn around 40% of the household income. However, stress levels are high among men whose wives earn more than 40% of the household income. Persistent distress can lead to adverse health problems in men.
A third of American women now earn at least as much as their husbands. Compare that to 1980, when only about 12% of women earned an equivalent salary. While there is still a gender pay gap, where women earn, on average, 80 cents for every dollar men earn, compensation rates are improving for women in the United States.
Within individual households, however, there is contention over who should bring home the bacon. According to a 2019 study, married men prefer their wives to contribute to the household income, but only up to a certain point.
The 15-year study of 6,000 American heterosexual couples, conducted by the University of Bath in the UK, found that husbands are most anxious when they are the sole breadwinner, and therefore financially responsible for the family’s well-being.
Conversely, the study found that men are less stressed when their wives earn about 40% of the total household income. However, stress levels are also high among men whose wives earn more than 40% of the household income. These findings show how persistent and potentially harmful gender identity norms still are, the researchers said.
The stress of being (or not being) the breadwinner:
Joanna Syrda, an economist at the University of Bath’s School of Management, said the study also showed that husbands don’t stress about who does what, if their future wives earn them more before marriage.
Survey participants were asked to measure distress in terms of feeling sad, nervous, restless, hopeless, and worthless.
“Persistent distress can lead to many adverse health problems (in men),” explained Syrda, “including physical illnesses and mental, emotional and social problems.”
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