40% of women are now the highest earners in their family

[davieG]

Female breadwinners on the rise

Report reveals 40% of women are now the highest earners in their family

 

 

Despite the rise of female breadwinners, 10% of these households still pretend that the man is the highest earner

The number of households where the woman is the main breadwinner has risen to its highest level ever, according to a new report which reveals that four in ten female workers are now the highest earner in their family.

The research, carried out by LV, shows that the number of female breadwinners has increased significantly over the past 30 years, rising from 26% of households to 41% – equivalent to 4.3 million women.

Almost 4,000 men and women aged between 25 and 59 were polled for the study, which found that the rise in the number of female breadwinners has increased alongside the amount they earn.

Making the dough

The average female breadwinner now earns £51,965, compared to her partner’s £37,965, marking a difference of 37%.

The rise has not been a sudden one, either, with more than half of women who are the top earner in their household saying that this has always been the case, with their husband or boyfriend earning less for the entire duration of the relationship.

Despite the findings suggesting that more men are becoming househusbands while their partners earn the money, only 29% of men who earn less than their wife or girlfriend are stay-at-home dads, with the remaining 71% in full-time employment but simply being outperformed in the salary stakes by their other half.

The tables have turned to such an extent over the last 30 years, that in 40% of households where the female is the main breadwinner, the man of the house would not be able to provide sufficient financial support if she were unable to work.

Mark Jones, head of protection at LV, commented: “This research certainly throws up some interesting findings and it’s fantastic to see antiquated stereotypes being challenged.”

Raised expectations

The report did throw up some bizarre findings, with 10% of households having an agreement in place whereby family, friends and acquaintances would all be told that the man was the highest earner in the family, even if this was not the case.

Furthermore, 7% of men say that their pride is dented by their partner earning more than them, and 9% of women would completely refuse to date a man who earned less than them.

The reason behind increased female achievement and drive seems to originate at school, with 54% of female breadwinners saying that their GCSE and A-level results were more impressive than their partner’s, while 47% attained a better university degree.

In total, 60% of women who are the top earners in their household feel that their achievements at school and university are the reason why they have been able to move up the career ladder faster than their husband or boyfriend.

It seems that the university of life is now becoming less important than good grades, and this looks set to continue for many years to come.

 

[Jon the Hat]

Fair play.  I could do with a bit of that.

[DennisNedry]

To be honest I'm surprised it is as high as that, fair play to em.

[Rincewind]

not surprised.

[DennisNedry]

The reason I'm surprised is that my dad has always worked, whilst my mum has always been at home or worked part time. I could say the same for the large majority of my school friends as well. And at work now, the workforce is almost all men (building trade) and most have wives who are at home, or do part time or retail work.

[Guest MattP]

Very surprising.

 

Lot of lucky lads in the next couple of generations coming up. Get digging.

[Jace]

The average female breadwinner earns £51,965? sounds very high to me for an average figure or is it just me?

[Rincewind]

The average female breadwinner earns £51,965? sounds very high to me for an average figure or is it just me?

I thought so too and the mens. There are a lot more on min wage now so they never asked them I wonder how many were sole earners?

[Guest MattP]

I thought so too and the mens. There are a lot more on min wage now so they never asked them I wonder how many were sole earners?

 

A woman on minimum wage won't be the breadwinner in all likelihood.

[johnny the fox]

51 grand? that sounds like a lot of time on your back..

[Jace]

I think when you look at the stats if it was LV (Liverpool Victoria) who carried out the study it could well have been possibly using people who pay for life insurance or another financial product you may generally see in higher earning households so I don't think it would be a very accurate representation of the Country as a whole looking at the average income involved. I think in time we will see a more even figure between men and women earners for example my partner is the higher earner in my household at the moment but then again when she goes on maternity leave in a few months time it will go back to myself to put food on the table (well pay for it anyway.)

[Bert]

Very surprising.

Lot of lucky lads in the next couple of generations coming up. Get digging.

When I get to the top of the chain In my line of work I'll just be about on the same as the Missus is when she first qualifies, but then I'll be left well behind as she progresses.

[Zingari]

It would be interesting to know how many couple with the female as highest earner  have joint bank accounts .

I'd hazard a guess that they keep separate accounts more often than when the male is highest earner .

[Jon the Hat]

It would be interesting to know how many couple with the female as highest earner  have joint bank accounts .

I'd hazard a guess that they keep separate accounts more often than when the male is highest earner .

 

I guess that depends on the disparity.  All the bills go out of my account so why bother with a join account?  If you were 50:50 and had to pay joint them I guess you need it.

When I get to the top of the chain In my line of work I'll just be about on the same as the Missus is when she first qualifies, but then I'll be left well behind as she progresses.

 

Marry her quick!

[Zingari]

I guess that depends on the disparity.  All the bills go out of my account so why bother with a join account?  If you were 50:50 and had to pay joint them I guess you need it.

 

Marry her quick!

do you think many women would be happy to do that ?

 

I think the,  " what's yours is mine and what's mine is yours" , principle won't be applied so rigourously if the female is the higher earner