Dual-Earner Families

In contemporary U.S. society, it is common for both parents to work outside the home to provide for the financial needs of the family. The term dual-earner family describes such households. When working with dual-earner families, therapists should not make assumptions regarding why both individuals work, because the reasons vary. Regardless of the reasons associated with working outside the home, doing so can influence how the family unit operates. A number of individual and family-related concerns emerge when both parents work outside the home. Knowing the historical context of dual-earner families, as well as some of the struggles these families experience, will assist the therapist in helping the family function effectively and overcome the challenges they face.