In a new poll, nearly 40 percent of mothers say they are now primary breadwinners in their households. That means culture shifts at work and at home.
Seth Doane: Laura Long always loved being a stay at home mom with her two kids. But now she's making more than sandwiches. She's the family breadwinner too. Her husband Russ lost his job last year. Now, instead of managing securities on Wall Street, Russ attempts to manage the house. Laura Long: Russ is trying. He's doing the best he can, but he's not a mom. Seth Doane: When we first met the Longs, nine months ago, Laura had just started a part time job as a nurse. Now with Russ's job prospects uncertain, she's gone full time.
>> It's kind of like the opposite now, because it used to be like my dad gets home and now my mom gets home. Mom would you... Laura Long: I feel like I'm never home anymore. I mean, I miss my kids. I do. I miss being home. Seth Doane: The Long's family story is becoming the new normal, since almost 40% of mothers are the main wage earner. That's difficult economically because women earn 77 cents to every dollar men make. And when the recession began, in late 2007, men and women shared the same unemployment rate. But by the September, there was a gap, as male dominated jobs were hit hardest. Russ Long: We got to pick up Lou now. Seth Doane: That means change in the workplace and at home. Laura Long: But he's been trying to do dinner. He's done the food shop. We make a list now, like every week. Everybody writes on the list what we need and what you know, what we have to get. Seth Doane: Is this one of your lists? Laura Long: Well, that's my morning list. On mornings that I have to go in early. Seth Doane: And things don't always run smoothly. Russ Long: Well, there are two issues. Dinner and homework. And those are, those are always the two big issues because I don't, I don't really think much about dinner. I figure, "Ah, we'll whip something together."
>> My mom always wants dinner to be perfect. Seth Doane: It can be hard for mothers to redefine their roles.
>> She used to be the one at home, making sure that they were not eating ice cream for dinner. Now, she's got to depend on someone else, and that's pretty scary. Seth Doane: Even as the family dynamic shifts...
>> We'll all have dessert together in the living room. Seth Doane: A new poll suggests the old way still looks pretty good. More than half of both men and women agree that it is better for a family if the father works outside the home, and the mother takes care of the children. The Long kids disagree. Ben told me he likes having Russ home. Laura Long: I'm sure he does. Seth Doane: Why do you say it like that? Laura Long: Because they do it, they, he's a lot more lenient than me.
>> ...fries here. Seth Doane: Despite the growing pains, the Longs feel lucky.
>> Thing that me and my brother have gotten to bond with my dad a lot more. Seth Doane: Really?
>> Yeah, and like, you know, like get a better relationship. Seth Doane: By accelerating change, this recession is redefining the roles in American family life. Laura Long: Dinner looks good. Seth Doane: Seth Doane, CBS News. Old Tappan, New Jersey.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
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