Therapists' Approaches to the Normative Challenges of Dual-Earner Couples

Abstract The majority of American couples with minor children are dual-earners, and research indicates that, in general, the members of these families are thriving. Yet, outdated societal ideologies and practices place stressors on these families. Dual-earner couples, particularly working mothers, may experience guilt and/or concern about their family arrangement. Additionally, these couples may experience tensions in renegotiating gender expectations. A national, random sample of clinical members of AAMFT was surveyed to find out how family therapists are responding to the normative challenges of dual-earner couples in therapy. Results suggest that many therapists are unaware of the related empirical literature regarding the benefits and challenges of dual-earner families. Further, many therapists remain unaware of how the societal context often promotes guilt and inequity among today's couples. Implications for family therapists are discussed, including the need for therapists to become more familiar with recent research about dual-earner families, equality in intimate partnerships, and child care.