3 ms·
I'm confused. From the article: "The results are released by family, not by individual, so the median family income may include the income of both spouses. Sin
by alasdair_ 12y ago
I'm confused. From the article:
"The results are released by family, not by individual, so the median family income may include the income of both spouses. Single-person households are included in the family calculations."
Doesn't this study simply measure the fact that someone who is fifty years old is likely to have a spouse, while someone who is twenty is less likely to have one?
- ori_b 12y agoNo; They're comparing across different points in time. Unless the portion of older families that are married has increased, the gap would not change with time due to that factor.
- morgante 12y ago> No; They're comparing across different points in time. Unless the portion of older families that are married has increased, the gap would not change with time due to that factor. The proportional difference in marriages definitely has increased. As people are getting married later, it absolutely makes sense that the average household income for younger people is falling as more of them are single-earner "households." [1] 1: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-people-get-married-later-2013-10 http://www.businessinsider.com/why-people-get-married-later-...
- refurb 12y agoThis is a great point, the study should provide more details. I remember seeing a study a while back that said "American household income is lower in 2010 than it was in 1979". The key here is "household". If you look at the demographics trends, there are far more single parent households now than in 1979. In other words, the conclusion of the study was deceptive. Yes household income is going down, but individual income is going up.
- collyw 12y agoIn '79, there were not as many women working either. A single income household was normal.