Development of a typology of dual-earner families: A window into differences between and within families in relationships, roles, and activities

A typology of dual-earner families, based on mothers' and fathers' reports of work hours, job prestige, role overload, and job involvement was developed with a sample of 85 dual-earner couples with school-aged children. Three groups emerged that were distinguished by both between-groups and within-couple differences in the clustering variables: (a) high-status dual-earner families, (b) low-stress dual-earner families, and (c) main-secondary provider families. Group membership was related not only to demographic variables (e.g., parental education and income) but to marital quality, family roles, and parental monitoring of children's activities. Analyses conducted to replicate the typology revealed that similar groups emerged in data collected a year later. Group membership was stable over time for all groups except the main-secondary provider group; this category appears to represent a transitional status for employed mothers.