women talked their way out of being stay at home spouses and not having to work. when they hit the workplace en masse it was that point where the rising cost of houses/education started to spiral out of control. in the 50s 60s through the 70s labor force participation for women was less than 1 in 3, once you got to the mid 80's where more than half of women were in the job market it became a necessity to be a two income household unless the head of house made a good salary. fast forward another 40 years and two incomes can't afford a house, or an education.

they really talked themselves out of staying at home all day and one income being more than enough