More Canadian Women Becoming Family Breadwinners

November 26, 2009 8:56 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - Another indicator of the changing times, highlighted by the global economic crisis, is the growing number of women who have taken over the role as family breadwinners. According to social experts, the trend may become permanent.

Although more women have been entering the labor force, the recent crisis saw the loss of jobs in sectors traditionally dominated by males such as manufacturing. Women had to step in and be the main breadwinners.

Vanier Institute of the Family Executive Director Clarence Lochhead pointed out the transition was made smoother by women acquiring education and the shift to the knowledge economy, which required more brains than brawn.

Lochhead's observation is supported by data from Statistics Canada, which have found out that 18 percent of Canadian women are now the primary family breadwinners based on their hourly income which comprises 55 percent or higher of the total household income. The number is an improvement from 14 percent in 1997.

Alongside the shift in earning power of women, is a rise in number of men performing more housework in proportion to the housework done by females, said StatsCan analyst Katherine Marshall.

The higher acceptance of the reversal of roles may be due to the fact that the total Canadian family debt is growing six times faster than income, that men and women are willing to trade roles to make ends meet - particularly during a period of economic difficulty.