This study used data from the 1989 Survey of Consumer Finance to examine wives' economic contributions to family businesses. Wives' contributions to family businesses take several forms: managing the household, working in the business, being employed by others, working in the business and holding outside employment at the same time, and simultaneously holding two jobs. Wives' employment in the business was significantly related to the size of the family business, their market employment, the husbands' self-reported health status, and the origin and type of business enterprise.
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