Reliance Upon Wives' Earnings for Homeownership Attainment: Caught Between the Locomotive and the Caboose

Abstract

In recent years a fresh awareness has emerged that demographic trends wield an impact on housing markets independent of the income effects on which most eco nomic models focus (Alonso 1980) Dra matic social changes occurred during the 1970s Perhaps the best recognized factor impacting housing markets was the emer gence of the baby boom generation into adulthood and the consequent surge in household formations In addition to this shift in age structure, the accelerated entry of women into the labor force represents one of the most dramatic social changes of this century (Smith 1979) Despite the general significance of these social changes, little recognition has been given to the relationships working women of the baby boom generation have established with the housing market. This article will focus on the relationship between employ ment by young married women and home buying