More Women are Becoming Breadwinners

More women are becoming the primary breadwinners for their families--a fact that is impacting many niches, including the administrative and clerical field. Changing family structures, societal conventions, and the economy are all contributing to the evolving role of women in the workplace.

For better or worse, traditional societal conventions in the past usually placed a male family member as the head of household. Married women were more likely to stay home with children while husbands went to work. Those women who did work often took part-time or low-paying jobs, and were seen as helping out with family expenses rather than contributing a primary paycheck. Today, women in the workplace at all job and pay levels may be the primary breadwinners for their households. Society no longer assumes that a father will work while a mother stays home. In fact, many advertisers recognize stay-at-home dads as a growing mainstream audience.

Changes in societal conventions that allow women in the workplace to take on growing responsibilities and work varied hours have an impact on the clerical and administrative field. Executive administrators often act as de facto managers when their bosses are away, and qualified admins may handle communications, decision making, and other responsibilities within an organization. Women are also empowered to take advantage of different opportunities: Not all women are seeking work hours when children are in school, which allows them to take evening, night, and other clerical positions.

Societal changes aren't the only thing bolstering the growth of women in the workplace. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately two-thirds of women who are in the role of head of household are also single mothers. Single moms working in clerical jobs may be supporting themselves and several kids, which provides an increased incentive to work hard for raises and promotions. Such dedication and drive may have played a role in the growing appreciation of and pay for secretaries and other administrative staff through the years.

Another possible reason more women in the workplace are the primary earners for their families could be the current economy and job market. In many cases, a spouse or partner may have lost a job, been forced to take a pay cut, or be embarking on a new career. In such cases, even a woman in an entry-level clerical job might be elevated to the primary earner for her family. In other cases, women in high-level executive administration jobs could have been the primary earners all along.

According to a Catalyst survey, women in the workplace still report some instances of inequality. Even so, changing social conventions and family structures make it possible for women in clerical jobs and other positions to provide for themselves and their loved ones.

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