Marie Christine Duggan wrote, "Our society seems to opt for the 
"women work longer hours" as the base line."


This is not necessarily a result of a social decision as to who 
should pay for children. In part, with each woman having fewer 
children and feminist interest in women having more workplace 
options, the lifestyle expectations of many couples are based on 
there being two earners. Also very significantly, concerns about an 
aging population have resulted in policy decisions to increase the 
labour force participation of people of working age. The main target 
group for increased participation is women with  young children. This 
is not chosen in the interests of the young women, or of their 
children. It is intended to benefit retired people (also predominantly women).

Stuart Birks