Sunday, 01 December 2024 15:50

Women as breadwinners - balancing work, family, and the motherhood penalty

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More Canadian women are becoming primary earners in their families. However, the "motherhood penalty" continues to affect income levels, especially when children are involved. Recent reports shed light on this growing trend and the challenges it brings.

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Rise in women breadwinners

The percentage of Canadian women earning the majority of family income has significantly increased over the last three decades. According to the Vanier Institute of the Family, in 2022, women were the primary earners in 32.8 per cent of husband-wife families, compared to 25.9 per cent in 2000. This trend highlights their growing role in the labor market.

However, data shows this shift is less likely in families with children. Women in childless couples were the primary earners in 36.8 per cent of cases, whereas this dropped to 29.5 per cent in couples with children. The percentage further declines as the number of children increases, reflecting the persistent challenges mothers face in the workforce.

Impact of the motherhood penalty

The "motherhood penalty" continues to be a significant barrier for working women. In families where women are the main earners, average household income is 9 per cent lower compared to those with male breadwinners, according to a 2024 TD Economics report. Additionally, these families typically possess $30,000 fewer financial assets.

Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, a Nobel laureate in economics, found that mothers earn less than fathers, while men often benefit from a "fatherhood premium." This wage disparity not only affects individual families but also contributes to Canada's declining fertility rate, which hit a record low of 1.26 children per woman in 2023.

Shifting dynamics and solutions

Efforts to address this imbalance are gaining momentum. More fathers are taking parental leave, and initiatives like the federal $10-a-day child care program aim to increase women's workforce participation. These changes could help reduce the wage gap and support dual-income households.

  • Fathers taking more parental leave
  • Introduction of affordable child care policies
  • Advocacy for workplace flexibility for all parents

Experts like Marina Adshade emphasize the importance of normalizing workplace flexibility for both parents. This approach ensures that hiring decisions do not penalize women based on assumptions about productivity or availability. Equal opportunities for men and women are key to balancing work and family responsibilities.

The increasing role of women as breadwinners marks a shift in family dynamics. However, overcoming systemic biases and the motherhood penalty requires continued efforts from policymakers, employers, and society as a whole.

source: CBC

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