> most households need two working parents just to survive.
Only because we created a world where every household had two working parents.
Only because we created a world where every household had two working parents.
I think a good amount of the problem then became, these new normal double income households then decided they also wanted children. So we slowly convinced ourselves that both parents can work while raising children, which doesn't really work. Your child ends up being raised by day care.
It's a good example of having your cake and eating it too.
AFAIK, studies and history demonstrated opposite to be true, if there is an opportunity not to work and lead comfortable life, most people choose not to work.
But for most people, leaving their professional career is hardly reversible in the long term, and means becoming economically dependent on their partner. Which only works if the couple stays together (and the partner keeps their job).
I hope I can stay together with my partner for life but even if so, I wouldn't be too comfortable if she left her career and became economically dependent: what if I die early, for example? A career is a hedge against adversity.
Even staying together, if a big economic crisis comes, with two jobs it's easier that at least one of us will keep their income than with one.
On the one hand inflation-adjusted GDP is 5x higher than the 60's (https://www.multpl.com/us-gdp-inflation-adjusted) so even if the workforce doubled the pie got much larger.
On the other hand markets like real estate have somewhat inelastic supply and higher household incomes as a result of dual earners might just bid up prices.
Regardless, that's the situation -- so can't be ignored.