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Title: Patriarchy, Power, and Pay: The Transformation of American Families, 1800-2015

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2015

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Abstract: This article proposes explanations for the transformation of American families over the past two centuries. I describe the impact on families of the rise of male wage labor beginning in the nineteenth century and the rise of female wage labor in the twentieth century. I then examine the effects of decline in wage labor opportunities for young men and women during the past four decades. I present new estimates of a precipitous decline in the relative income of young men and assess its implications for the decline for marriage. Finally, I discuss explanations for the deterioration of economic opportunity and speculate on the impact of technological change on the future of work and families.

Url: https://www.pop.umn.edu/sites/pop.umn.edu/files/wp-2015-3.pdf

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Authors: Ruggles, Steven

Series Title: MPC Working Paper Series

Publication Number: 2015-3

Institution: University of Minnesota

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Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Other

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