Deseret Voices Affording a Family: The two-income shift
Jan 22, 2026
In a compelling discussion, Brad Wilcox, a family demography expert and director at the National Marriage Project, tackles the affordability crisis facing families today. He highlights the stark contrast between the 1950s single-earner model and today's dual-income struggles. Wilcox shares insights on how rising living costs and policy inefficiencies make child-rearing increasingly challenging. He advocates for targeted support like child tax credits and emphasizes the need for affordable housing solutions to sustain family life in America.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
One Income No Longer Covers Middle-Class Life
- Middle-class families often cannot afford a conventional home or college on one full-time income today.
- Dual full-time work raises costs and reduces the option of a parent staying home, squeezing family formation.
Policy And Regulation Inflate Family Costs
- Housing, healthcare, and college costs plus restrictive regulations drive family unaffordability.
- Policy barriers and regulatory thickets make modest housing and services expensive for working families.
Expand The Child Tax Credit
- Expand a more generous child tax credit to acknowledge parents' financial sacrifices.
- Give cash to families so they can choose how to balance work and childrearing.
