What’s the value of a dad?

Text Size: AaAaAaAaAa

LOS ANGELES – For all the soccer coaching, burger grilling and spider killing that Dad does around the house, the value of his work is worth only about one-third as much as Mom’s, according to the annual Father’s Day Index from Insure.com.

Fatherly duties are valued at $20,248 a year – more than $1,000 less than the inflation-adjusted amount a decade ago and far less than the $60,182 amount attached to maternal labors.

Insure.com calculated how much fathers would be paid in wages for a collection of jobs based on data from the Department of Labor.

For helping with homework, Dad would be paid $17.91 an hour like the average teacher or instructor. Since cooks are generally paid $11.99 an hour, that’s how much a father would get for backyard barbecuing. Mowing the lawn nets Dad $14.07 an hour; pest removal brings in $15.65.

Outside the home, however, fathers tend to be the main breadwinners. And even when mothers take the reins, they still only earn about 77 cents to every male dollar.

At least Mom gets more love on Mother’s Day, with consumers spending an average of $152 each. On Father’s Day, people shell out $117 on average, with total spending for the holiday expected to reach $12.7 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.

Popular gifts? Golf outings, restaurant meals, sports games or electronics.

Previous Page|1|Next Page

Comments

Blogs

» Out Here
Out Here

Wise saw collapse in support

Last week, Sterling Alderwoman Amy Viering attended her last meeting as a city official. She gave the usual praise one hears at such departures. But one compliment stuck out. At the end of her speech, she turned to City Administrator Scott Shumard and said, "You're awesome."
» Out Here
Out Here

On pensions, Bivins and GOP far apart

Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, joined with many of his fellow Senate Republicans this week to reject a pension bill sponsored by Democratic Senate President John Cullerton of Chicago. The measure passed 40-16. Bivins had a different reason for his no vote.

Reader Poll

How concerned are you that the IRS targeted conservative political groups for additional and often burdensome scrutiny?

Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not very concerned
Not concerned at all