Powerful currents have reshaped the structure of families over the last century. There has been (i) a dramatic drop in fertility and greater parental investment in children; (ii) a rise in married female labor-force participation; (iii) a significant decline in marriage and a rise in divorce; (iv)...

For 200 years the average number of hours worked per worker declined, both in the market placeand at home. Technological progress is the engine of such transformation. Three mechanisms arestressed:(i) The rise in real wages and its corresponding wealth effect;(ii) The enhanced value of time off...