Should Both Parents Work

Should Both Parents Work

If you are married it is likely that both you and your spouse work outside the home. Dual income with no kids would be the norm. But, what happens when you and your spouse start having children? Realistically is it necessary for both parents to work while raising young children? This debate has stirred up much conflict in today and time. There are two very conflicting answers. The first answer states the cost of raising and supporting a family is so high that in order to survive financially, it is necessary for both parents to work. The other answer states that having both parents work while having to deal with emotional and stress related issues are so great that it is better for one person to stay home.

Why Both Parents Should Not Work

The cost to raise children is very high and it is getting even higher as time goes on. According to the federal government, “It take about $5,490 to $11,320 dollars to support a child in the first year alone. Unreimbursed medical bills for the obstetrician and hospital alone will be about $1200; maternity clothes, nursery furniture, baby related equipment, clothes and other expenses constitute the rest” (Edelman 2002). With both parent working this mean daycare for the kids which can add another $7000 to this bill. The price of a home and the mortgage rate is also high and steady raising, and if both husband and wife work then you also have two vehicles, which mean two-car payment. Even though most insurance company offer you a multiple car discount, it still don’t off set the cost that it take to fuel a second vehicle and the maintenance on it. This have many couple pressure into believing that both parent have to work and if one is not working before, then the pressure to get a job is high. But is this the right conclusion?

Let’s look at Mary and John family of four who have a combined income of $60,000 dollars, each making about $30,000. Let take half of their income annually and break it down into $2500 a month. From this alone they spend about $250 in commuting costs. Commuting cost can range from the payment of an automobile and parking fees, to public transportation. Mary and John spend an average of $125 per month on work clothes, buying suit, ties, shoes, panty hose, and the cleaner. They also spend an additional $120 a month on lunch, office gifts, and obligatory donation. Do not forget about day care, they spend about $600 on that. Of the $2500 a month about $1100 is spent on work related expenses. That leaves about $1400 dollar left over. “Taxes on $2500 a month will be about $1000 dollars” (Edelman 2002). That leave them with about $400 take home. That is less then $100 a week. If Mary or John work 40 hour a week and spend one hour a day dressing for work and commuting, they are going through all of this for about $ 1.75 an hour. And that is all of their $30,000 gross income. That not the worse of it. Not only is Mary or John making below minimum wage, added on is the additional stress that they are not spending time at home with their children. Mary and John also have to decide who stay at home when one of the kids is sick. Who leaves work early to race to the day care center before it close to avoids the extra charges? They also have to decided who will take vacation or sick leave to take the children to their doctor appointment or let the plumber in when the pipe get clog up. Considering all of this, does it really make sense for both Mary and John to work?

Why Both Parents Should Work

From