Work

Do Individuals Born into Households Without a Male Breadwinner Experience Worse Life Outcomes? The Case of Urban Spain

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of this article is to assess whether growing up in a household that deviated from the male-breadwinner norm had negative consequences across lifespan. To explore this question, we analyze individual-level microdata for men born in the period 1886–1908 from the city of Zaragoza (Spain), focusing on their height, health status at age 21 years, and adult lifespan. Our results confirm that individuals born in households without a male-breadwinner model were, on average, almost 1 cm shorter, had a 25 percent higher likelihood of health problems at age 21 years, and experienced approximately 1 year shorter lifespan.

Source: European Review of Economic History

DOI: 10.1093/ereh/heag014

Authors: Francisco J Marco-Gracia, Víctor A Luque de Haro, Pablo Delgado

Institutions: Universidad de Zaragoza, Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón, University of Almería

Language: English

Topic: Historical Economic and Social Studies

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, No poverty, Zero hunger

Open Access status: green

Funder: Fundación Ramón Areces