NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

February 4, 1999

Women Providing More Family Income, Balance a Concern

The depressed agricultural economy is forcing more North Dakota women to find employment off their farm or ranch. While the income is helpful, critical in some situations, the circumstances of this employment can add stress to family members who try to fill the void created by the employee's absence, says a family scientist at North Dakota State University.

"North Dakota has as many or more farm wives in the work force than any other state, and as long as the agricultural economy continues to slump, it's a trend that's not likely to change," says Sean Brotherson, extension family science specialist at NDSU. "When the net farm or ranch income is not able to generate enough money to meet specific needs like the family living expenses or repayment of debts, then it's much more likely that a woman is going to take a job full time, or at least part time, maybe during the winter months."

In fact, some women in agriculture are becoming the major contributors when it comes to family income. This new role often requires a juggling of other roles in the household. Brotherson says these adjustments can have both positive and negative effects on the family.

"It may be something that is new within a family," Brotherson says. "The tradition may be that the mother and wife has stayed home and taken care of things in the family, so as she moves out into the community in her new role, there is the challenge of balancing increased stress on the family. However, there's also the benefit of providing for the family living expenses."

But that benefit can be a challenge for farmers and ranchers who have traditionally been the breadwinners in the family. Brotherson says husbands often feel displaced when their wives are earning the money that the family lives on.

Brotherson concludes, "As a couple, they have to be willing to deal with those issues. They have to be willing to talk and agree with one another about how it will impact their family and if it's something they're able to manage. Being willing to discuss those issues is important so they can make decisions that will benefit their families financially and allow for the balance that affects quality of life."

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Source: Sean Brotherson (701) 231-6143

Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136

Writer: Kristi Loterbaugh (701) 231-6197