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~ MICS UtiKAKY 01" EW fHE WOM,. N'S COl I rr;r: OF 1'1-il:. l,;'ljiVll{ I l" { 0,· {. 'A, 11 li'/ GREt..NSBO 0, N. C. Institute of Home Economi£s, Agricultural Research Service_, IJNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ~-Piiiiiiii- 7 Prepared for home demonstration agents and home economics specialists of the Agricultural Extension Service, this publication reports current developments in family and food economics, and economic aspects of home management. CONTENTS FACTS ABOUT FAMILIES AND FAMILY MEMBERS.......................... 3 EMPIDYMENT OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES rn AN OHIO CITY • • . • • • • • . • • • • • • • . 8 SOCIAL SECURITY LAW AMENDED •.••••.•.•.•..••.••...••••••.•..••..•. 10 CONSUMER rnsTALLMENT CREDIT rn 1961 •••.••.•••..•.•....•••••.••... 11 C :HE!E.SE IDYIN'G GUIDE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . • • . . • • • . . • • • • • • • • • • • • . l2 FOOD AND DRlJG I..AB.EI...ING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 CASUAL CLOTHING WrnS FAVOR WrrH WOMEN............................ 14 SIDCKP~ING FOOD FOR SURVIVAL . • • • • • • • • • . • • . . . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . • . . . 15 CENSUS COUNTS TELEPHONES AND TELEVISION SETS • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . . 17 PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES, 1960 .•.•••••••..•.•••.••••.... 18 ESTIMATED COST OF 1 WEEK'S FOOD ••.•••••.••.•••••..•.••••.•...••.. 18 CONSUMER PRICES ARS 62-5 September 1961 .................................................. 20 Washington, D. C. Gfowth Throuah Aaricultural Proaress FACTS AIDUT FAMJI.IES .AND FAMILY MEMBERS Facts and figures from recent Census Bureau surveys have important implications for home economics educators. Some of these are presented on this and the following pages. MJre detailed infon:nation about households, marriage and childbearing of women, family incomes 1 and education of men is available in the publications from which these data were taken. y Househ::>lds and families Housemlds in the United States totaled about 53.3 million in March 1961. A household as defined here includes all persons wm occupy a room or group of :rooms having direct access from outside or through a common hall, or a ki:tchen or cooking equipment for the exclusive use of the occupants. These households included 45.3 million (85 percent) which were family groups--that is; two or more related persons living together--and 8 million which were made up of either a single individual or a group of unrelated persons. (See table l.) A husband-wife couple headed 74 percent of all households; and 87 percent of th::>se classified as families. (Only a few married couples--about 2 percent of the total--did not maintain their own households • ) Women wi tbout spouses headed 18 percent of all households, and men without spouses 7 percent. Only 3. 7 million, or 7 percent of the total number of households, were farm housemlds. A larger proportion of farm than nonfarm households were headed by husband and wife and a smaller proportion were comprised of unrelated individuals. Women headed only 9 percent of farm households, as compared with 19 percent of tmse not on farms. The 1961 household total was 681,000 higher than that for 1960. It is not comparable with figures from years prior to 1960 due to changes in Census definitions of a household and the inclusion of Alaska and Hawaii in the count since 1960. The count of farm households is also affected by the new Census definition of a farm. Marriage and childbearing MJre women are marrying sometime during their lifetime, and they are marrying at a younger age than in previous decades. Only 5 percent of the y Data .for this report are from the following publications of the U.S. Bureau of the Census: Households and Families, by Type: 1961. Series P-201 No • 109. July 1961; Marriage Fertili t and Childspacing: .August l 59. Series P-201 No. 1o8. July 19 1; Average Income of Families U Slightl in 1960. Series P-60, No. 36. June 19 l; School Enrollment ·ana Education of You:ii'g Adults and Their Fathers: October 1960. Series P-201 No. llO. July 1961. -4- Table 1.--Households by type, United States, nonfarm and farm: March 1961 United States Urban and Type of household rural nonfarm Farm Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Thousands Thousands Thousands All households ......... 53,291 100 49,554 100 3,737 100 Families ............... 45,278 85 41,798 84 3,480 93 Husband-wife ......... 39,565 74 36,451 74 3,ll4 83 Other male head •.•••. 1,179 2 1,035 2 144 4 Female head ...•.••••• 4,534 8 4,312 9 222 6 Unrelated individuals 0 • 8,013 15 7,756 16 257 7 Male ................. 2,725 5 2,580 5 145 4 Female ............... 5,288 10 5,176 10 ll2 3 I Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. white women 35 to 39 years old in 1959 had never married, compared with 9 percent of those 70 to 79 years of age. 5:/ Although a single woman has less chance of marrying after 35 than before, it can be expected that some will marry, reducing further the proportions of this group who are spinsters. Even among young women 20 to 24 years old in 1959 only 14 percent were still unmarried. The estimated median age at first marriage for these women born in 1935 to 1939 (after adjusting for possible future marriages of those still single in 1959) is 19.8 years. This means that they will have become brides about 2 years younger, on the average, than the generation born between 1910 and 1919, which included many of their mothers. Of all the women married for the first time between the years 1955 and 1959, one-fifth were not over 17 years old. The age distribution of brides in this period was as follows: Percent of women first Age at first marriage: married in 1955-59 14 'to 17 -years • . . . . . . . . . . • • . . • . . . • . • . . . . 21 18 an.d 19 years .-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 20 and 21 years . . • • • • . . • . . • . • • . • • . • • • • • • 24 22 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 25 -to 29 ~ars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 30 years and over • • • • . • . . • • . . • . . . . . • . • • . 6 g/ The data in this report are for white women only. They are presented in this way because data for nonwhite and white women combined, or separate but in comparable form are not available for all topics discussed. -5- Within 14 months after marriage approximately half' of the "WOmen married for the first time between 1955 and 1959 were mothers, and within 18 months 60 percent were. Of tmse who were brides in 1950-54, three-fif'ths had had their second child by the time they were married 5 years, and one-third had borne three children within 7 years.. The present trend is in the direction of fewer no-child and one-child families, and more with two, three, or four children. In 1959, less than 10 percent of the women 30 to 39 years old and ever married were childless. (See table 2.) This was a smaller proportion than that for older "WOmen (beyond the childbearing age). It was also considerably smaller than the proportion reported for all 'WOmen (white and nonwhite) in the 30 to 39 age group in 1950. The average number of' children born so far to ever-married women who were 30 to 34 years old in 1959 was 2.6, compared with 2.3 for women 45 to 49 years of age. And the average number of children ever born to the younger of these groups will undoubtedly be increased before they reach the end of the childbearing period. Table 2.--Num.ber of children ever born to white "WOmen 15-44 years old and ever married, by age, August 1959 Percent by number of children ever born Age of women Total None- l 2 3 4 5-6 7 or Total, 15 to 44 years: 15 to 19 years ........... 100 50 36 l2 2 20 to 24 years ........... 100 25 33 28 10 25 to 29 years ........... 100 13 20 29 21 30 to 34 years ........... 100 9 14 30 24 35 to 39 years ........... 100 10 15 28 23 4o to 44 years ........... 100 13 17 28 19 Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. * Less than l percent. more -- -- -- 2 1 * ll 6 1 13 8 2 l2 9 3 ll 8 4 Traditionally women in rural areas have had larger families than "WOmen in urban areas, and they still do. However, indications are that the difference between them has been diminishing in recent years due to a greater increase in the number of children born to urban as compared with f'a.m. women. Family incomes in 1960 The average (median) money income of families in the United States in 1960 was $5,600, which was about $200, or 4 percent, higher than in 1959. This represents the combined total money income (before taxes) received by all family members from wages, salaries, self-employment (net), and other sourceEt, -6- such as net rents, interest, dividends, social security benefits, pensions, and other .Government payments. The average money income of farm families was $2,875· Families in which the head was a full-time worker during the year had a median income of $6,600. Farm·families among these had $3,337, and urban and rural nonfarm families $6,832. The lowest income families included many in which the head was retired or unemployed. The chart below shows how money incomes were distributed between all U.S. families. About 22 percent had incomes under $3,000; 20 percent had between $3,.000 and $5,000; 24 percent had between $5,000 and $7,000; and the remaining 34 percent had $7,000 or more. FAMILIES BY TOTAL MJNEY lNCOME, 1960 Education of young men Increasing family incomes reflect, in part, the rising level of education of family members • ]/ Many young family heads are likely to be able to earn better incomes than their fathers at the same age because they are better equipped with formal education. In October 1960, half of the young men 20 to 24 years old were better educated than their fathers, in terms of level of schooling completed. They would probably improve this record somewhat before leaving the classroom forever, for some were still in school when Census Bureau made the survey, and others might enroll again. The difference in the lJ For a report on the relationship between income and education see Family Economics Review for June 1961, pages 22 to 25. -7- educationa.l attainment of :fathers and sons was especially notable at the high school level. Over two-thirds of the men in their early twenties bad a high school diploma as of last October, compared with one-third of their fathers. Of the young men whose fathers did not graduate from high school, 4 3 percent left school before high school graduation. However, 57 percent did graduate, 34 percent terminating their schooling at this point and 23 percent entering college. Eight percent dropped out before finishing the college course, but 12 percent were still enrolled and 3 percent had graduated. (See table 3.) Table 3. --Educational -status of men 20 to 24 years old and of their fathers, October 1960 EducationaJ.. status of men 20-24 years old Educational status Did not Graduated Attended college of father TotaJ.. graduate from high, Did not Currently Grad-from high did not go graduate enrolled uated school to college Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent .A1.l •••••••• .......... 100 32 32 10 20 6 Did not graduate :from high school ••••• 100 43 34 8 l2 3 Graduated from high school: Did not attend college ........... 100 10 36 17 28 8 Attended college: Did not graduate .. 100 6 24 16 40 14 Graduated from college ......... 100 4 8 10 62 16 Not reported ••••.••••• 100 42 38 lO 7 3 Note: Detail may nbt add to total because of rounding. Of the 20-to-24-year-olds whose fathers graduated from high school but did not a.ttend college, over half had remained in school longer than their fathers. In October 1960, 28 percent were attending college, 8 percent were graduates, and 17 percent had been college students for a time at least. The young men whose fathers started but did not finish college included 14 percent who were already college graduates and 4o percent currently enrolled. An additiona.l 16 percent had, like their fathers, entered college but dropped out. -8- Many of the young men whose fathers had college degrees were either college graduates (16 percent) or on their way to this goal (62 percent were attending college). Ten percent of this group started college and dropped out before finishing. EMPIDYMENT OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES IN AN OHIO CITY Although husbands are the chief breadwinners in most U.S. families, the number of women joining their spouses in the labor force has risen in the past decade and continues to rise. Married women (husbands present) accounted for l8 percent of the total labor force in l960, compared with l4 percent in l950. y The Household Economics Research Division is conducting a series of studies to collect information about the household management practices of married women who have accepted work away from home and to learn what the economic implications (for the families participating) of their employment might be. How much of the wives' earnings do expenses related to their jobs take? Do certain family expenses increase when wives work away from bome'l What contributions can they make to family income? The first study of JobRelated Expenses a~d Management Practices of Working Wives was conducted in four small cities in Georgia in l958. y The second was done last year in Ohio, and the third this year in North Carolina. In the Ohio study, data were collected from urban and open-country families in the East Central part of the State. Along with information about jobrelated expenses and home management practices of employed wives, the data provided a good picture of the employment of husbands and wives in one-couple households (husband and wife, with or without other members) in the urban area--Zanesville, a city of about 39,000 people. To locate a sample of families having all the qualifications required for participation in the study, a total of 2, 302 randomly selected households were visited in the city. From each one that was headed by a husband and wife and had no other couple living in it, information was obtained about the employment of husband and wife during the l2 months from May l, l959 to April 301 l960. One-couple households numbered l, 455 which accounted for 63 percent of all households. y U.S. Department of Labor. Marital and Family Characteristics of Workers, March l960. Special Labor Force Report No. l3, p. 3- April l96l. '?) A preliminary report of the Georgia study is available from the Household Economics Research Division, ARS, USDA. It is Job-Related Expenditures of Working Wives, by Emma G. Holmes. (l958) -9- Nearly all (84 percent) of the husbands worked at least sometime during the schedule year, and t·wo-thirds worked full time. The 14 percent who were not employed were mainly retired men. About a fourth of the husbands were employed as operatives or had similar jobs. A fifth were either self-employed or held professional or managerial positions. The en~ire distribution was as follows: Type of employment: Perce.nt of husbands Operative, kindred workers ••••••.•.•••.••. 27 Professional, managerial, proprietors ••••. 20 Craftsmen, foremen • . • . . • . • . . • . • • • . • • • • . . . • 14 Clerical, sales . . • . • • . • • • • • . • • • • . • . • . • . • . • 11 Laborers . . . . . . .. . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Service workers • • • . . • • • . . • • . • • • • . . . . • • • • • • 5 Retired, not employed..................... 14 No infonn.ation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 One out of three of the wives were gai..r1fully employed outside the home during at least part of the schedule year. Of those working, 42 percent held regular full-time jobs (2,000 or more hours), 28 percent worked 1,000 to 1,999 hours, and 21 percent were employed less than 1,000 hours. Three percent gave no information about the number of hours they worked. The pattern of occupations for the Ohio women followed closely that of women workers in the United States as a whole. ]/ The largest occupational group (35 percent) was employed in clerical or sales jobs. A somewhat smaller proportion (31 percent) were operatives, mainly in factories and potteries. Another 17 percent held professional or managerial positions, and 15 percent were service workers, such as waitresses, beauticians, and nurses' aides. The gainful employment of wives varied by age, family type, and household size • More of the women 35 to 49 years old worked away from home than of any other age group, as the following shows: Age of wife: Percent employed Al.l • • • • • • • . • • . • • • • • • • • • . • • . • . • • • • • 33 Under 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 35-49 ......... - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 50-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 65 and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Fewer women were employed if they had preschool children than if they had only older children, 6-17 years of age--25 percent compared to 41 percent. In households of all adults, 33 percent of the wives had jobs outside the home. Women were less likely to work if there were seven or more living at home than if their houseoolds were smaller. ]/ See footnote~' P• 8. -10- Place o:f residence influenced the employment status o:f wives in the Ohio study areas as it does in the United States as a whole. Considerably more urban than open-country women had jobs away :from home sometime during the year--33 and 21 percent, respectively. However, o:f the wives gainfully employed, those in the open country were more likely to work full time than their urban sisters. Hal:f o:f the employed wives whose homes were outside the city worked full time, compared with 42 percent o:f those living in Zanesville. Jj --Janis Moore SOCIAL SECURITY LAW AMENDED Major revisions were made in the Old Age, Survivors, and Disabilitj Insurance program in 1961. As o:f August 1961, men may retire at age 62 (instead o:f 65), just as women have been able to do since 1956. Those woo decide to take benefits at age 62 will get less per month, however--about 20 percent less than they would get at 65. The same amount o:f social security credit is needed to start receiving benefits at the earlier age as at 65. A man reaching age 62 in 1961 needs 3-l/4 years o:f work under social security to qualify :for old age insurance benefits. Minimum monthly retirement payments are higher. The lowest bene:fi t most workers 65 years o:f age or over will receive is $40--increased :from $33· Also, aged widows' benefits are increased by about 10 percent. Some people who receive OASDI benefits and also work in paid employment will have less wi thbeld :from bene:fi ts. Under the amendment o:f 1960, workers could earn $1, 200 a year wi toout loss o:f bene:fi ts 1 and lost $1.00 in bene:fi ts :for every $2.00 earned between $1,200 and $1,500. Under the new amendment, workers can earn $11 200 a year without loss o:f benefits, and will have $1.00 withheld :for each $2.00 earned between $1,200 and $1,700. This means that a person earning between $1,500 and $1,700 can get more in combined earnings and bene:fi+.s than he would have before this amendment became e:f:fective. Beginning January 1, 1962, the social security tax rate will go up from 3 percent to 3-l/8 percent on wages and salaries for employees, and from 4.5 to 4. 7 percent on income :from self-employment. The maximum amount of taxable income is still $4,800. '!!/ A report on the employment o:f husbands and wives in three of the four counties in the rural sample is available from the Household Economics Research Division, ARB, USDA. It is Emplo{jent of Husbands and Wives in low-Income Rural Areas, by »mna G. Holmes • 1960) -ll- CONSUMER lNSTAIJl.fENT CREDrr IN 1961 CREDrr EXTENDED, DEBT REP AID $ Billions 5 Credit extended 4 DEBT OUTSTANDING Total* 4o 15 ersonal loans 10 I consumer goods _ J' 1959 1960 1961 * Includes home repair and modernization loans, not shown separately. Consumers were somewhat more moderate in using installment credit during the first 6 months of 1961 than in the same period of 1960. Each month they assumed less installment debt than last year, but kept payments on their debts at a high level (upper chart}. Total debt outstanding continued to drop after the usual January decline, instead of resuming the upward trend as it did last year (lower chart). Debt outstanding on automobiles and "other consumer goods" (such as household equipment, furniture, and clothing) slacked off a bit early in 1961, but debt on personal loans kept rising. For several years now debt for personal loans has increased more consistently than that for the other three types of installment debt. Since April 1960, people have owed more on personal loans than on "other consumer goods," which used to be second only to automobiles. Debt for home repair and modernization (not shown on chart) 1 always a relatively small amount, varied little in 1961. At the end of June 1961, U.S .A. consumers owed more than $42 billion on installment debts--an average of $231 per person. Of this amount, about $17 billion was automobile debt, $11 billion debt for "other consumer goods, " $ll billion for personal loans, and $3 billion for home repair and modernization loans . --Thnna G. Holmes Source: Federal Reserve Bulletin. October 1960-August 1961. -l2- CHEESE BUYJlil'G GUIDE The housewife who has bJ3-d difficulty in choosing among the many products displayed on the cheese counter of the neighborhood food store will find a new publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service helpful. It is Cheese Buying Guide for Consumers, Marketing Bulletin No. l7, U.S. Department of Agriculture • The homemaker may select from a wide variety of natural cheeses, among which are Cheddar, Roquefort, Edam, Swiss, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Brie, and many others. Among these she will find cheeses ranging from soft to very firm and from mild to very sharp; ripened and unripened; made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk; originating in many States and countries; and selling under many brand names • Natural cheese is made by separating the milk solids from milk by curdling, then separating the curd from the whey by heating, stirring, and pressing. The flavor and body and texture characteristics are due to many factors such as: kind of milk Used; method used to curdle the milk; type of' bacteria or molds used in ripening; amount of seasonings added; the conditions of ripening-temperature, humidity, length of time. In addition to natural cheese, there are many kinds of process cheese and related products. The following descriptions of some of these show how they differ from natural cheese. Pasteurized process cheese . --A blend of fresh and aged natural cheeses which have been shredded, mixed, and heated (pasteurized), with no further ripening. Melts easily when heated. May consist of one or two or more varieties of natural cheese, contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. Pasteurized process cheese food.--Made in much the same way as pasteurized process cheese. Contains less cheese, with nonfat dry milk or whey solids and water added. Cheese food is milder in flavor, softer in texture, spreads more easily, and melts more quickly than process cheese because of the added moisture. May contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. Pasteurized process cheese spread.--Made the same way as process cheese food, but generally contains more moisture making it more spreadable. A stabilizer is als.o used to prevent separation of ingredients. Cheese spreads also may contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. Spreads often come in jars. Coldpack cheese.--A blend .of fresh and aged natural cheese (as cheese) but mixed until smooth without heating. It spreads easily. flavor is usually aged or sharp and may be smoked. Coldpack cheese in jars, rolls, or links. in process The is packed -13- Coldpack cheese food.--Is similar to coldpack cheese but includes other dairy ingredients--nonfat dry milk or whey solids and water--as in process cheese food. Sugar or corn sirup may be added. Also may contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. It is packaged in the same way as coldpack cheese. What to look for on the label When buying cheese it is advisable to read the label on the package or container as it carries important descriptive information that will help the housewife decide on the cheese to best serve her needs. The name of a natural cheese appears as the variety such as "Cheddar cheese," "Swiss cheese," or "Blue cheese." Information pertaining to the age or degree of curing also appears. For instance, Cheddar cheese may be labeled as "mild," "medium," or "mellow," or "aged" or "sharp." Process cheese labels include the words 'pasteurized process," with the variety or varieties of cheese used. Cheese food and cheese spreads will be labeled as such. All the ingredients used in preparation of these products are listed on the respective label along with the kinds or varieties of cheese used in the mixture. Also the milkfat and moisture content may be shown. Coldpack cheeses are labeled in the same manner, except that "club cheese" or "Comminuted cheese" may be substituted for the name "coldpack cheese." FOOD AND DRUG LABELING The Food and Drug Administration has announced the following changes:. Federal Hazardous Substance Labeling Act.--The time of enforcement of the Federal Hazardous Substance Labeling Act has been extended to February 1, 1962 for all hazardous substances other than the highly toxic, extremely flammable, and flammable. It was to have become eff'ective August 3l, 1961, but more time was needed to issue f'inal regulations. For a more detailed discussion of the law see the March 1961 issue of Family Economics Review. Labels on soft drinks.--All nonalcoholic carbonated beverages will be required to have a label stating the ingredients used in them, beginning June 15, 1962. These soft drinks have been exempt from the labeling requirement since January 21, 1941. -14- CASUAL C:WTHING WINS FAVOR WITH WOMEN The changes that have occurred during the past decade in the manufacture of women's and misses' clothing reflect a more relaxed way of living. Production of women's casual wear (as measured by the quantity of cotton, wool, and manmade fibers used in making it) increased rather sharply, while production of dresses changed relatively little. FIBERS USED IN WOMEN'S AND MISSES I C:WTHING Million pounds r----.r---~----~----~ 200 Street dresses 100 80 60 4o 20 10 1950 / Sweate1·~ 1958 The chart opposite shows the changes in production of street dresses, housedresses, blouses and skirts, sweaters, and sport clothes (slacks, slack suits, jackets, playsuits, shorts, and sunsuits) from 1950 to 1958. (A "ratio" chart was used in order to get the widely differing figures for the five items into the same picture. In this type of chart equal vertical rises in the lines denote equal percentage changes.) Evidently women enjoy the comfort and ease of care of separates, as well as the variety they permit when they are coordinated in color and style. The popularity of slacks, playsuits, and other sport clothes may have been influenced by the move to the suburbs • Many women are wearing this type of clothing in place of a dress for housework and for leisure wear. Dresses (street and bouse varieties) took about half of the total amount of cotton, wool, and manmade fibers used in making the five types of garments in 1958, as compared with two-thirds ' in 1950. --Lucile F. Mork Source: Textile Organon. January 1960 and 1961. -15- STOCKPILING FOOD FOR SURVIVAL Some suggestions for planning a food and water stockpile are given in a publication prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization--Family Food Stockpile for Survival, Home and Garden Bulletin No • 77. (Single copies free to individuals on request fr:om Office of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C.) This publication recommends two methods of home food storage for emergencies: l. Increase your regular food supply so there will always be a 2-week supply of food for the family in the home. Replace food as it is used. 2. Store and maintain in your fallout shelter or home a special 2-week stockpile of survival foods. Choose foods that will keep for months wi trout refrigeration, require little or no cooking, yet will provide a reasonably well-balanced family diet. Select the method that best meets your situation, or a combination of the two. The important thing is to have enough food in the home to last until it is safe and possible to get other foods. Consider the needs and preference_s of family members when selecting foods for storing. Familiar foods are likely to be more acceptable in times of stress. Kinds and quantities of foods suitable to store are shown in the table . .Amounts suggested will supply the calories needed by one adult for 2 weeks • If a family consists of four adults, four times these amounts would be needed. Teenagers are likely to need more than the amounts shown; younger children need less. By including, each day, foods from the eight groups listed, a family can have a reasonably nutritious diet. A minimum of 7 gallons of water per person should be provided for drinking and meal preparation. Stockpile foods should be in cans, jars, or tightly sealed paper containers. Whenever possible, choose cans and jars in sizes that will fill the family's needs for only one meal. Many other helpful suggestions on food in emergencies are included in the bulletin. There are meal plans showing bow to use the various foods given in the table, a list of equipment for cooking and serving, suggestions on the maximum replacement period for the various kinds of foods, and detailed instructions for supplying water. l. 2. Kind of food Milk Canned meat, poultry, fish, cooked dry beans, and peas 3. Fruits and vegetables 4. Cereals and baked goods -16- Guide for reserve food supply Amount per person for-- 1 day 2 weeks Equivalent of 2 glasses (fluid) 2 servings 3 to 4 servings 3 to 4 servings Equivalent of 7 q_uarts (fluid) 28 servings (8 to 9 pound.s) 42 to 56 servings (about 2l pounds canned) 42 to 56 servings (5 to 7 pounds) Remarks Equivalents of l q_uart of fluid milk-- Evaporated milk: three 6-ounce cans or one 14-1/2-ounce can Dry milk: 3 to 3-1/2 ounces Suggested serving of-Canned meat, poultry, or fish: 2 to 3 ounces Canned mixtures of' meat, poultry, or fish with vege tables, rice, macaroni, etc • : 8 ounces Condensed soups containing meat, poultry, fish, or dry beans or peas: onehalf of a 10-1/2-ounce can Suggested serving of-- Canned juice: 4 to 6 ounces, single strength Canned fruit or vegetable: 4 ounces Dried fruit: 1-1/2 ounces Suggested serving of-Cereal: q_uick-cooking: 1 ounce Ready-to-eat puffed: 1/2 ounce; flaked: 3/4 ounce Other ready-to-eat: 1 ounce Crackers or cookies: 1 ounce Canned bread, steamed puddin& and cake: 1 to 2 ounces Flour or flour mixes: 1 ounce Macaroni, noodles: dry: 3/4 ounce; cooked or canned: 6 ounces -17- Guide for reserve food supply--Continued Kind of food Amount per person for-- l day 2 weeks Remarks 5· Spreads for According to family Examples: Cheese spreads, bread and practices peanut butter, jam, jelly, crackers sirup, honey, apple butter, relish, catsup, mustard. 6. Fats and ------------- Up to l Amount depends on extent of vegetable oil pound or cooking possible. Kinds 1 pint that do not require refrigeration. 7· Sugars, sweets, ------------- l to 2 Sugar, hard candy, gum, nuts, and nuts pounds instant puddings . 8. Miscellaneous According to family Examples: Coffee, tea, cocoa practices and extent of (instant) • Dry cream prod-cooking possible. ucts (instant) . Bouillon products. Flavored beverage powders. Salt and pepper. Flavoring extracts, vinegar. Soda, baking powder. Adapted from Family Food Stockpile for Survival. Table 1, pp. 4-5. CENSUS COUNTS TELEPHONES AND TELEVISION SETS Three out of four households had a telephone in March 1960, according to the Census Bureau. Availability of a telephone ranged from 45 percent for the lowest income group (under $1,500) to 95 percent for the highest; from 67 percent for rural households to 79 percent for urban; and from 62 percent for households made up of a single individual to 81 percent for those in which there were children between the ages of 6 and 17 years. Of the households with no telephone, 70 percent do have one means of communication-- the television. Television ownership was reported by 89 percent of U.S. households in May 1961. It is high in all regions, and on fanns (where 80 percent have TV) as well as cities (90 percent). The households least likely to have a TV set are those composed of one person alone. Only 67 percent of these have televisions, compared with about 95 percent of the bouseholds with 3 to 5 members. -l8- PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDI'IURES, 2960 Expenditures for goods and services for personal consumption averaged $l, 82l per person in the year 1960, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data. Expenditures for the various commodities and services making up the total were as follows: Total personal consumption expenditures .•• Food, beverages, and tobacco •••••.•.•..• Clothing, accessories, and jewelry •.••.• Personal care .......................... . Housing ................................ . Household operation, furnishings, and equipment •............................ Medical care and death expense ••••.••... Tr8.11sportation ..............•........... Personal business (bank and legal services, interest on personal debt) •. Recreation ............................. . Private education and research .•.••.••.• Religious and welfare activities ...•.••. Foreign travel and net expenditures abroad (i.e., less expenditures in United States by foreigners) •..•...•.. Dollars 1,821 485 188 29 234 254 118 225 114 107 25 26 16 Percent 100.0 26.6 10.3 1.6 12.8 13-9 6.5 12.4 6.3 5-9 1.4 1.4 ·9 Spending for nondurable commodities amounted to 46 percent of the total, durable commodities l3 percent, and services 4o percent. The proportion of personal consumption exPenditures going to services has increased steadily for a number of years and this trend continued in 1960. Services took only 32 percent of total expenditures in 1950. Source: July 1961. U.S. Department of Commerce. Current Population Reports. Survey of Current Business, p. 14. Series P-25, No. 234. August 15, 1961. ESTIMATED COST OF 1 WEEK'S FOOD The table on the opposite page presents the estimated cost of 1 week's food to be prepared and served at home. The estimate is based on quantities of food in the low-cost, moderate-cost, and liberal plans. The plans are available as a leaflet--Low-Cost, MOderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, HHE(Adm..)-146. The cost of food for a specific family can be estimated from the table, since costs are given for individuals of different ages. -19- Estimated Cost of 1 Week's Food,. y July 1961--U .S.A. Average Sex-age groups Low-cost M:>derate- Liberal plan cost plan plan Dollars Dollars Ibllars FAMILIES 14.oo 19.00 21.30 12.4o 17.00 19.00 20.80 27.70 31.50 24.10 32.30 36.60 Family of two, 20-34 years~ ••.•••.•.•.•• Family of two, 55-74 years gj ............ . Family of four, preschool children]/ .•..• Family of four, school children~/ ....... . INDIVIDUALS Children: Under 1 year ............................ 3.10 3.80 4.10 1-3 years ............................... 3-70 4.70 5.30 4-6 years ............................... 4.40 5-70 6.80 7-9 years ............................... 5-30 6.80 7.80 10-12 years ............................. 6.10 8.20 9.40 Girls, 13-15 years ................... • ..... 6.50 8.70 10.00 16-19 years .............................. 6.50 8.70 9·90 Boys, 13-15 years ......................... 7-00 9.60 10.90 16-19 years ............................ .. 8.30 11.20 12.70 Women: 20-34 years ............................. 5.50 7.60 8.50 35-54 years ............................. 5-30 7-30 8.30 55-74 years ............................. 5.00 6.90 7.80 75 years and over ....................... 4.80 6.4o 7.30 Pregnant ................................ 6.90 8.90 9.80 Nursing ................................. 8.60 10.90 12.10 Men: 20-34 yea~ ............................. 7.20 9·70 10.90 35-54 years ............................. 6.70 9.00 10.10 55-74 years ............................. 6.30 8.60 9.50 75 years and over ....................... 6.10 8.20 9.10 ~ These estimates were computed from quantities in low-cost, modera~~cost, and liberal food plans published in tables 2, 3, and 4 of the October 1957 issue of Family Economics Review. Quantities for children were revised January 1959 to comply with the 1958 NRC Recommended Dietary Allo'Wances. The cost of the food plans was first estimated by using the average prices per pound of each food group paid by nonfarm survey families at three selected income levels. These prices were adjusted to current levels by use of Average Retail Prices of Food in 46 Large Cities Combined released periodically by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. ?} Ten percent added for family size adjustment. For derivation of factor for adjustment, see pages 3 and 4 of the September 1960 issue of Family Economics Review. 1/ Man and woman 20-34 years; children, 1-3 and 4-6 years. !Jj Man and woman 20-34 years; children, 7-9 and 10-12 years. -20- CONSUMER PRICES Tabl e 1.--Index of' Prices Paid by Farmers f'or Commodities Used in Family Li'V'ing (1947-49 = 100) August 1960; December 1960-August 1961 Item Aug. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. 1960 1961 - All commodities ............ 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 Food and tobacco ......... -- 118 -- -- 118 -- -- 118 -- -- Clothing ................. -- 120 -- -- 119 -- -- 119 -- -- Household operation ...... ·-- 117 -- -- 119 -- -- 118 -- -- Household furnishings .... -- 103 -- -- 102 -- -- 102 -- -- Building materials, house. -- 120 -- -- 121 -- -- 121 -- -- Auto and auto supplies ... -- 140 -- -- 137 -- -- 136 -- -- Source: U.s. Department o"f Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. Table 2.--consum.er Price Index for City Wage-Earner and Clerical-Worker Families (1947-49 = 100) July 1960; November 1960-July 1961 Item July Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July 1960 1961 1961 All items .................. 127 127 128 127 128 128 128 1127 128 128 Food .•...•............... 121 121 121 121 121 121 121 j121 121 122 Apparel .................. 109 111 ill 109 110 110 110 110 110 110 Housing .................. 131 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 Rent ..•...••.••..•.•..• 142 143 143 143 143 143 143 143 144 144 Gas and electricity ••.• 125 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 Solid fuels and fuel oil 133 136 137 140 141 141 140 136 136 136 Housef'urnishings .•.•.•• lo4 104 104 104 lo4 lo4 104 104 104 104 Housemld operation ..•. 137 138 138 138 138 138 139 139 139 139 Transportation ••••......• 146 146 146 146 146 146 146 147 148 148 Medical care •.•...•••.•.• 156 158 158 158 159 160 160 160 161 161 Personal care •••••..•.... 133 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 Reading and recreation ••• 122 122 122 122 123 123 124 124 124 124 Other goods and services • 132 133 133 133 133 133 133 133 133 134 I Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Title | Family Economics Review [Sept. 1961] |
Date | 1961 |
Contributors (group) |
Institute of Home Economics (U.S.) United States. Agricultural Research Service Consumer and Food Economics Research Division Consumer and Food Economics Institute (U.S.) United States Science and Education Administration United States. Agricultural Research Service United States Agricultural Research Service Family Economics Research Group |
Subject headings | Home economics--Accounting--Periodicals |
Type | Text |
Format | Pamphlets |
Physical description | 8 v. ; $c 27 cm. |
Publisher | Washington, D.C. : U.S. Institute of Home Economics, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture |
Language | en |
Contributing institution | Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries |
Source collection | Government Documents Collection (UNCG University Libraries) |
Rights statement | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/ |
Additional rights information | NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES. This item has been determined to be free of copyright restrictions in the United States. The user is responsible for determining actual copyright status for any reuse of the material. |
SUDOC number | A 77.708:Sept. 61 |
Digital publisher | The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University Libraries, PO Box 26170, Greensboro NC 27402-6170, 336.334.5482 |
Full-text | ~ MICS UtiKAKY 01" EW fHE WOM,. N'S COl I rr;r: OF 1'1-il:. l,;'ljiVll{ I l" { 0,· {. 'A, 11 li'/ GREt..NSBO 0, N. C. Institute of Home Economi£s, Agricultural Research Service_, IJNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ~-Piiiiiiii- 7 Prepared for home demonstration agents and home economics specialists of the Agricultural Extension Service, this publication reports current developments in family and food economics, and economic aspects of home management. CONTENTS FACTS ABOUT FAMILIES AND FAMILY MEMBERS.......................... 3 EMPIDYMENT OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES rn AN OHIO CITY • • . • • • • • . • • • • • • • . 8 SOCIAL SECURITY LAW AMENDED •.••••.•.•.•..••.••...••••••.•..••..•. 10 CONSUMER rnsTALLMENT CREDIT rn 1961 •••.••.•••..•.•....•••••.••... 11 C :HE!E.SE IDYIN'G GUIDE • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . • • . . • • • . . • • • • • • • • • • • • . l2 FOOD AND DRlJG I..AB.EI...ING • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 13 CASUAL CLOTHING WrnS FAVOR WrrH WOMEN............................ 14 SIDCKP~ING FOOD FOR SURVIVAL . • • • • • • • • • . • • . . . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . • . . . 15 CENSUS COUNTS TELEPHONES AND TELEVISION SETS • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . . 17 PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURES, 1960 .•.•••••••..•.•••.••••.... 18 ESTIMATED COST OF 1 WEEK'S FOOD ••.•••••.••.•••••..•.••••.•...••.. 18 CONSUMER PRICES ARS 62-5 September 1961 .................................................. 20 Washington, D. C. Gfowth Throuah Aaricultural Proaress FACTS AIDUT FAMJI.IES .AND FAMILY MEMBERS Facts and figures from recent Census Bureau surveys have important implications for home economics educators. Some of these are presented on this and the following pages. MJre detailed infon:nation about households, marriage and childbearing of women, family incomes 1 and education of men is available in the publications from which these data were taken. y Househ::>lds and families Housemlds in the United States totaled about 53.3 million in March 1961. A household as defined here includes all persons wm occupy a room or group of :rooms having direct access from outside or through a common hall, or a ki:tchen or cooking equipment for the exclusive use of the occupants. These households included 45.3 million (85 percent) which were family groups--that is; two or more related persons living together--and 8 million which were made up of either a single individual or a group of unrelated persons. (See table l.) A husband-wife couple headed 74 percent of all households; and 87 percent of th::>se classified as families. (Only a few married couples--about 2 percent of the total--did not maintain their own households • ) Women wi tbout spouses headed 18 percent of all households, and men without spouses 7 percent. Only 3. 7 million, or 7 percent of the total number of households, were farm housemlds. A larger proportion of farm than nonfarm households were headed by husband and wife and a smaller proportion were comprised of unrelated individuals. Women headed only 9 percent of farm households, as compared with 19 percent of tmse not on farms. The 1961 household total was 681,000 higher than that for 1960. It is not comparable with figures from years prior to 1960 due to changes in Census definitions of a household and the inclusion of Alaska and Hawaii in the count since 1960. The count of farm households is also affected by the new Census definition of a farm. Marriage and childbearing MJre women are marrying sometime during their lifetime, and they are marrying at a younger age than in previous decades. Only 5 percent of the y Data .for this report are from the following publications of the U.S. Bureau of the Census: Households and Families, by Type: 1961. Series P-201 No • 109. July 1961; Marriage Fertili t and Childspacing: .August l 59. Series P-201 No. 1o8. July 19 1; Average Income of Families U Slightl in 1960. Series P-60, No. 36. June 19 l; School Enrollment ·ana Education of You:ii'g Adults and Their Fathers: October 1960. Series P-201 No. llO. July 1961. -4- Table 1.--Households by type, United States, nonfarm and farm: March 1961 United States Urban and Type of household rural nonfarm Farm Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Thousands Thousands Thousands All households ......... 53,291 100 49,554 100 3,737 100 Families ............... 45,278 85 41,798 84 3,480 93 Husband-wife ......... 39,565 74 36,451 74 3,ll4 83 Other male head •.•••. 1,179 2 1,035 2 144 4 Female head ...•.••••• 4,534 8 4,312 9 222 6 Unrelated individuals 0 • 8,013 15 7,756 16 257 7 Male ................. 2,725 5 2,580 5 145 4 Female ............... 5,288 10 5,176 10 ll2 3 I Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. white women 35 to 39 years old in 1959 had never married, compared with 9 percent of those 70 to 79 years of age. 5:/ Although a single woman has less chance of marrying after 35 than before, it can be expected that some will marry, reducing further the proportions of this group who are spinsters. Even among young women 20 to 24 years old in 1959 only 14 percent were still unmarried. The estimated median age at first marriage for these women born in 1935 to 1939 (after adjusting for possible future marriages of those still single in 1959) is 19.8 years. This means that they will have become brides about 2 years younger, on the average, than the generation born between 1910 and 1919, which included many of their mothers. Of all the women married for the first time between the years 1955 and 1959, one-fifth were not over 17 years old. The age distribution of brides in this period was as follows: Percent of women first Age at first marriage: married in 1955-59 14 'to 17 -years • . . . . . . . . . . • • . . • . . . • . • . . . . 21 18 an.d 19 years .-. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 20 and 21 years . . • • • • . . • . . • . • • . • • . • • • • • • 24 22 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 25 -to 29 ~ars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 30 years and over • • • • . • . . • • . . • . . . . . • . • • . 6 g/ The data in this report are for white women only. They are presented in this way because data for nonwhite and white women combined, or separate but in comparable form are not available for all topics discussed. -5- Within 14 months after marriage approximately half' of the "WOmen married for the first time between 1955 and 1959 were mothers, and within 18 months 60 percent were. Of tmse who were brides in 1950-54, three-fif'ths had had their second child by the time they were married 5 years, and one-third had borne three children within 7 years.. The present trend is in the direction of fewer no-child and one-child families, and more with two, three, or four children. In 1959, less than 10 percent of the women 30 to 39 years old and ever married were childless. (See table 2.) This was a smaller proportion than that for older "WOmen (beyond the childbearing age). It was also considerably smaller than the proportion reported for all 'WOmen (white and nonwhite) in the 30 to 39 age group in 1950. The average number of' children born so far to ever-married women who were 30 to 34 years old in 1959 was 2.6, compared with 2.3 for women 45 to 49 years of age. And the average number of children ever born to the younger of these groups will undoubtedly be increased before they reach the end of the childbearing period. Table 2.--Num.ber of children ever born to white "WOmen 15-44 years old and ever married, by age, August 1959 Percent by number of children ever born Age of women Total None- l 2 3 4 5-6 7 or Total, 15 to 44 years: 15 to 19 years ........... 100 50 36 l2 2 20 to 24 years ........... 100 25 33 28 10 25 to 29 years ........... 100 13 20 29 21 30 to 34 years ........... 100 9 14 30 24 35 to 39 years ........... 100 10 15 28 23 4o to 44 years ........... 100 13 17 28 19 Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding. * Less than l percent. more -- -- -- 2 1 * ll 6 1 13 8 2 l2 9 3 ll 8 4 Traditionally women in rural areas have had larger families than "WOmen in urban areas, and they still do. However, indications are that the difference between them has been diminishing in recent years due to a greater increase in the number of children born to urban as compared with f'a.m. women. Family incomes in 1960 The average (median) money income of families in the United States in 1960 was $5,600, which was about $200, or 4 percent, higher than in 1959. This represents the combined total money income (before taxes) received by all family members from wages, salaries, self-employment (net), and other sourceEt, -6- such as net rents, interest, dividends, social security benefits, pensions, and other .Government payments. The average money income of farm families was $2,875· Families in which the head was a full-time worker during the year had a median income of $6,600. Farm·families among these had $3,337, and urban and rural nonfarm families $6,832. The lowest income families included many in which the head was retired or unemployed. The chart below shows how money incomes were distributed between all U.S. families. About 22 percent had incomes under $3,000; 20 percent had between $3,.000 and $5,000; 24 percent had between $5,000 and $7,000; and the remaining 34 percent had $7,000 or more. FAMILIES BY TOTAL MJNEY lNCOME, 1960 Education of young men Increasing family incomes reflect, in part, the rising level of education of family members • ]/ Many young family heads are likely to be able to earn better incomes than their fathers at the same age because they are better equipped with formal education. In October 1960, half of the young men 20 to 24 years old were better educated than their fathers, in terms of level of schooling completed. They would probably improve this record somewhat before leaving the classroom forever, for some were still in school when Census Bureau made the survey, and others might enroll again. The difference in the lJ For a report on the relationship between income and education see Family Economics Review for June 1961, pages 22 to 25. -7- educationa.l attainment of :fathers and sons was especially notable at the high school level. Over two-thirds of the men in their early twenties bad a high school diploma as of last October, compared with one-third of their fathers. Of the young men whose fathers did not graduate from high school, 4 3 percent left school before high school graduation. However, 57 percent did graduate, 34 percent terminating their schooling at this point and 23 percent entering college. Eight percent dropped out before finishing the college course, but 12 percent were still enrolled and 3 percent had graduated. (See table 3.) Table 3. --Educational -status of men 20 to 24 years old and of their fathers, October 1960 EducationaJ.. status of men 20-24 years old Educational status Did not Graduated Attended college of father TotaJ.. graduate from high, Did not Currently Grad-from high did not go graduate enrolled uated school to college Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent .A1.l •••••••• .......... 100 32 32 10 20 6 Did not graduate :from high school ••••• 100 43 34 8 l2 3 Graduated from high school: Did not attend college ........... 100 10 36 17 28 8 Attended college: Did not graduate .. 100 6 24 16 40 14 Graduated from college ......... 100 4 8 10 62 16 Not reported ••••.••••• 100 42 38 lO 7 3 Note: Detail may nbt add to total because of rounding. Of the 20-to-24-year-olds whose fathers graduated from high school but did not a.ttend college, over half had remained in school longer than their fathers. In October 1960, 28 percent were attending college, 8 percent were graduates, and 17 percent had been college students for a time at least. The young men whose fathers started but did not finish college included 14 percent who were already college graduates and 4o percent currently enrolled. An additiona.l 16 percent had, like their fathers, entered college but dropped out. -8- Many of the young men whose fathers had college degrees were either college graduates (16 percent) or on their way to this goal (62 percent were attending college). Ten percent of this group started college and dropped out before finishing. EMPIDYMENT OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES IN AN OHIO CITY Although husbands are the chief breadwinners in most U.S. families, the number of women joining their spouses in the labor force has risen in the past decade and continues to rise. Married women (husbands present) accounted for l8 percent of the total labor force in l960, compared with l4 percent in l950. y The Household Economics Research Division is conducting a series of studies to collect information about the household management practices of married women who have accepted work away from home and to learn what the economic implications (for the families participating) of their employment might be. How much of the wives' earnings do expenses related to their jobs take? Do certain family expenses increase when wives work away from bome'l What contributions can they make to family income? The first study of JobRelated Expenses a~d Management Practices of Working Wives was conducted in four small cities in Georgia in l958. y The second was done last year in Ohio, and the third this year in North Carolina. In the Ohio study, data were collected from urban and open-country families in the East Central part of the State. Along with information about jobrelated expenses and home management practices of employed wives, the data provided a good picture of the employment of husbands and wives in one-couple households (husband and wife, with or without other members) in the urban area--Zanesville, a city of about 39,000 people. To locate a sample of families having all the qualifications required for participation in the study, a total of 2, 302 randomly selected households were visited in the city. From each one that was headed by a husband and wife and had no other couple living in it, information was obtained about the employment of husband and wife during the l2 months from May l, l959 to April 301 l960. One-couple households numbered l, 455 which accounted for 63 percent of all households. y U.S. Department of Labor. Marital and Family Characteristics of Workers, March l960. Special Labor Force Report No. l3, p. 3- April l96l. '?) A preliminary report of the Georgia study is available from the Household Economics Research Division, ARS, USDA. It is Job-Related Expenditures of Working Wives, by Emma G. Holmes. (l958) -9- Nearly all (84 percent) of the husbands worked at least sometime during the schedule year, and t·wo-thirds worked full time. The 14 percent who were not employed were mainly retired men. About a fourth of the husbands were employed as operatives or had similar jobs. A fifth were either self-employed or held professional or managerial positions. The en~ire distribution was as follows: Type of employment: Perce.nt of husbands Operative, kindred workers ••••••.•.•••.••. 27 Professional, managerial, proprietors ••••. 20 Craftsmen, foremen • . • . . • . • . . • . • • • . • • • • . . . • 14 Clerical, sales . . • . • • . • • • • • . • • • • . • . • . • . • . • 11 Laborers . . . . . . .. . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Service workers • • • . . • • • . . • • . • • • • . . . . • • • • • • 5 Retired, not employed..................... 14 No infonn.ation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 One out of three of the wives were gai..r1fully employed outside the home during at least part of the schedule year. Of those working, 42 percent held regular full-time jobs (2,000 or more hours), 28 percent worked 1,000 to 1,999 hours, and 21 percent were employed less than 1,000 hours. Three percent gave no information about the number of hours they worked. The pattern of occupations for the Ohio women followed closely that of women workers in the United States as a whole. ]/ The largest occupational group (35 percent) was employed in clerical or sales jobs. A somewhat smaller proportion (31 percent) were operatives, mainly in factories and potteries. Another 17 percent held professional or managerial positions, and 15 percent were service workers, such as waitresses, beauticians, and nurses' aides. The gainful employment of wives varied by age, family type, and household size • More of the women 35 to 49 years old worked away from home than of any other age group, as the following shows: Age of wife: Percent employed Al.l • • • • • • • . • • . • • • • • • • • • . • • . • . • • • • • 33 Under 35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 35-49 ......... - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 50-64 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 65 and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Fewer women were employed if they had preschool children than if they had only older children, 6-17 years of age--25 percent compared to 41 percent. In households of all adults, 33 percent of the wives had jobs outside the home. Women were less likely to work if there were seven or more living at home than if their houseoolds were smaller. ]/ See footnote~' P• 8. -10- Place o:f residence influenced the employment status o:f wives in the Ohio study areas as it does in the United States as a whole. Considerably more urban than open-country women had jobs away :from home sometime during the year--33 and 21 percent, respectively. However, o:f the wives gainfully employed, those in the open country were more likely to work full time than their urban sisters. Hal:f o:f the employed wives whose homes were outside the city worked full time, compared with 42 percent o:f those living in Zanesville. Jj --Janis Moore SOCIAL SECURITY LAW AMENDED Major revisions were made in the Old Age, Survivors, and Disabilitj Insurance program in 1961. As o:f August 1961, men may retire at age 62 (instead o:f 65), just as women have been able to do since 1956. Those woo decide to take benefits at age 62 will get less per month, however--about 20 percent less than they would get at 65. The same amount o:f social security credit is needed to start receiving benefits at the earlier age as at 65. A man reaching age 62 in 1961 needs 3-l/4 years o:f work under social security to qualify :for old age insurance benefits. Minimum monthly retirement payments are higher. The lowest bene:fi t most workers 65 years o:f age or over will receive is $40--increased :from $33· Also, aged widows' benefits are increased by about 10 percent. Some people who receive OASDI benefits and also work in paid employment will have less wi thbeld :from bene:fi ts. Under the amendment o:f 1960, workers could earn $1, 200 a year wi toout loss o:f bene:fi ts 1 and lost $1.00 in bene:fi ts :for every $2.00 earned between $1,200 and $1,500. Under the new amendment, workers can earn $11 200 a year without loss o:f benefits, and will have $1.00 withheld :for each $2.00 earned between $1,200 and $1,700. This means that a person earning between $1,500 and $1,700 can get more in combined earnings and bene:fi+.s than he would have before this amendment became e:f:fective. Beginning January 1, 1962, the social security tax rate will go up from 3 percent to 3-l/8 percent on wages and salaries for employees, and from 4.5 to 4. 7 percent on income :from self-employment. The maximum amount of taxable income is still $4,800. '!!/ A report on the employment o:f husbands and wives in three of the four counties in the rural sample is available from the Household Economics Research Division, ARB, USDA. It is Emplo{jent of Husbands and Wives in low-Income Rural Areas, by »mna G. Holmes • 1960) -ll- CONSUMER lNSTAIJl.fENT CREDrr IN 1961 CREDrr EXTENDED, DEBT REP AID $ Billions 5 Credit extended 4 DEBT OUTSTANDING Total* 4o 15 ersonal loans 10 I consumer goods _ J' 1959 1960 1961 * Includes home repair and modernization loans, not shown separately. Consumers were somewhat more moderate in using installment credit during the first 6 months of 1961 than in the same period of 1960. Each month they assumed less installment debt than last year, but kept payments on their debts at a high level (upper chart}. Total debt outstanding continued to drop after the usual January decline, instead of resuming the upward trend as it did last year (lower chart). Debt outstanding on automobiles and "other consumer goods" (such as household equipment, furniture, and clothing) slacked off a bit early in 1961, but debt on personal loans kept rising. For several years now debt for personal loans has increased more consistently than that for the other three types of installment debt. Since April 1960, people have owed more on personal loans than on "other consumer goods," which used to be second only to automobiles. Debt for home repair and modernization (not shown on chart) 1 always a relatively small amount, varied little in 1961. At the end of June 1961, U.S .A. consumers owed more than $42 billion on installment debts--an average of $231 per person. Of this amount, about $17 billion was automobile debt, $11 billion debt for "other consumer goods, " $ll billion for personal loans, and $3 billion for home repair and modernization loans . --Thnna G. Holmes Source: Federal Reserve Bulletin. October 1960-August 1961. -l2- CHEESE BUYJlil'G GUIDE The housewife who has bJ3-d difficulty in choosing among the many products displayed on the cheese counter of the neighborhood food store will find a new publication of the Agricultural Marketing Service helpful. It is Cheese Buying Guide for Consumers, Marketing Bulletin No. l7, U.S. Department of Agriculture • The homemaker may select from a wide variety of natural cheeses, among which are Cheddar, Roquefort, Edam, Swiss, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Brie, and many others. Among these she will find cheeses ranging from soft to very firm and from mild to very sharp; ripened and unripened; made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk; originating in many States and countries; and selling under many brand names • Natural cheese is made by separating the milk solids from milk by curdling, then separating the curd from the whey by heating, stirring, and pressing. The flavor and body and texture characteristics are due to many factors such as: kind of milk Used; method used to curdle the milk; type of' bacteria or molds used in ripening; amount of seasonings added; the conditions of ripening-temperature, humidity, length of time. In addition to natural cheese, there are many kinds of process cheese and related products. The following descriptions of some of these show how they differ from natural cheese. Pasteurized process cheese . --A blend of fresh and aged natural cheeses which have been shredded, mixed, and heated (pasteurized), with no further ripening. Melts easily when heated. May consist of one or two or more varieties of natural cheese, contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. Pasteurized process cheese food.--Made in much the same way as pasteurized process cheese. Contains less cheese, with nonfat dry milk or whey solids and water added. Cheese food is milder in flavor, softer in texture, spreads more easily, and melts more quickly than process cheese because of the added moisture. May contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. Pasteurized process cheese spread.--Made the same way as process cheese food, but generally contains more moisture making it more spreadable. A stabilizer is als.o used to prevent separation of ingredients. Cheese spreads also may contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. Spreads often come in jars. Coldpack cheese.--A blend .of fresh and aged natural cheese (as cheese) but mixed until smooth without heating. It spreads easily. flavor is usually aged or sharp and may be smoked. Coldpack cheese in jars, rolls, or links. in process The is packed -13- Coldpack cheese food.--Is similar to coldpack cheese but includes other dairy ingredients--nonfat dry milk or whey solids and water--as in process cheese food. Sugar or corn sirup may be added. Also may contain pimentos, fruits, vegetables, meats, or have a smoked flavor. It is packaged in the same way as coldpack cheese. What to look for on the label When buying cheese it is advisable to read the label on the package or container as it carries important descriptive information that will help the housewife decide on the cheese to best serve her needs. The name of a natural cheese appears as the variety such as "Cheddar cheese," "Swiss cheese," or "Blue cheese." Information pertaining to the age or degree of curing also appears. For instance, Cheddar cheese may be labeled as "mild," "medium," or "mellow," or "aged" or "sharp." Process cheese labels include the words 'pasteurized process," with the variety or varieties of cheese used. Cheese food and cheese spreads will be labeled as such. All the ingredients used in preparation of these products are listed on the respective label along with the kinds or varieties of cheese used in the mixture. Also the milkfat and moisture content may be shown. Coldpack cheeses are labeled in the same manner, except that "club cheese" or "Comminuted cheese" may be substituted for the name "coldpack cheese." FOOD AND DRUG LABELING The Food and Drug Administration has announced the following changes:. Federal Hazardous Substance Labeling Act.--The time of enforcement of the Federal Hazardous Substance Labeling Act has been extended to February 1, 1962 for all hazardous substances other than the highly toxic, extremely flammable, and flammable. It was to have become eff'ective August 3l, 1961, but more time was needed to issue f'inal regulations. For a more detailed discussion of the law see the March 1961 issue of Family Economics Review. Labels on soft drinks.--All nonalcoholic carbonated beverages will be required to have a label stating the ingredients used in them, beginning June 15, 1962. These soft drinks have been exempt from the labeling requirement since January 21, 1941. -14- CASUAL C:WTHING WINS FAVOR WITH WOMEN The changes that have occurred during the past decade in the manufacture of women's and misses' clothing reflect a more relaxed way of living. Production of women's casual wear (as measured by the quantity of cotton, wool, and manmade fibers used in making it) increased rather sharply, while production of dresses changed relatively little. FIBERS USED IN WOMEN'S AND MISSES I C:WTHING Million pounds r----.r---~----~----~ 200 Street dresses 100 80 60 4o 20 10 1950 / Sweate1·~ 1958 The chart opposite shows the changes in production of street dresses, housedresses, blouses and skirts, sweaters, and sport clothes (slacks, slack suits, jackets, playsuits, shorts, and sunsuits) from 1950 to 1958. (A "ratio" chart was used in order to get the widely differing figures for the five items into the same picture. In this type of chart equal vertical rises in the lines denote equal percentage changes.) Evidently women enjoy the comfort and ease of care of separates, as well as the variety they permit when they are coordinated in color and style. The popularity of slacks, playsuits, and other sport clothes may have been influenced by the move to the suburbs • Many women are wearing this type of clothing in place of a dress for housework and for leisure wear. Dresses (street and bouse varieties) took about half of the total amount of cotton, wool, and manmade fibers used in making the five types of garments in 1958, as compared with two-thirds ' in 1950. --Lucile F. Mork Source: Textile Organon. January 1960 and 1961. -15- STOCKPILING FOOD FOR SURVIVAL Some suggestions for planning a food and water stockpile are given in a publication prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization--Family Food Stockpile for Survival, Home and Garden Bulletin No • 77. (Single copies free to individuals on request fr:om Office of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C.) This publication recommends two methods of home food storage for emergencies: l. Increase your regular food supply so there will always be a 2-week supply of food for the family in the home. Replace food as it is used. 2. Store and maintain in your fallout shelter or home a special 2-week stockpile of survival foods. Choose foods that will keep for months wi trout refrigeration, require little or no cooking, yet will provide a reasonably well-balanced family diet. Select the method that best meets your situation, or a combination of the two. The important thing is to have enough food in the home to last until it is safe and possible to get other foods. Consider the needs and preference_s of family members when selecting foods for storing. Familiar foods are likely to be more acceptable in times of stress. Kinds and quantities of foods suitable to store are shown in the table . .Amounts suggested will supply the calories needed by one adult for 2 weeks • If a family consists of four adults, four times these amounts would be needed. Teenagers are likely to need more than the amounts shown; younger children need less. By including, each day, foods from the eight groups listed, a family can have a reasonably nutritious diet. A minimum of 7 gallons of water per person should be provided for drinking and meal preparation. Stockpile foods should be in cans, jars, or tightly sealed paper containers. Whenever possible, choose cans and jars in sizes that will fill the family's needs for only one meal. Many other helpful suggestions on food in emergencies are included in the bulletin. There are meal plans showing bow to use the various foods given in the table, a list of equipment for cooking and serving, suggestions on the maximum replacement period for the various kinds of foods, and detailed instructions for supplying water. l. 2. Kind of food Milk Canned meat, poultry, fish, cooked dry beans, and peas 3. Fruits and vegetables 4. Cereals and baked goods -16- Guide for reserve food supply Amount per person for-- 1 day 2 weeks Equivalent of 2 glasses (fluid) 2 servings 3 to 4 servings 3 to 4 servings Equivalent of 7 q_uarts (fluid) 28 servings (8 to 9 pound.s) 42 to 56 servings (about 2l pounds canned) 42 to 56 servings (5 to 7 pounds) Remarks Equivalents of l q_uart of fluid milk-- Evaporated milk: three 6-ounce cans or one 14-1/2-ounce can Dry milk: 3 to 3-1/2 ounces Suggested serving of-Canned meat, poultry, or fish: 2 to 3 ounces Canned mixtures of' meat, poultry, or fish with vege tables, rice, macaroni, etc • : 8 ounces Condensed soups containing meat, poultry, fish, or dry beans or peas: onehalf of a 10-1/2-ounce can Suggested serving of-- Canned juice: 4 to 6 ounces, single strength Canned fruit or vegetable: 4 ounces Dried fruit: 1-1/2 ounces Suggested serving of-Cereal: q_uick-cooking: 1 ounce Ready-to-eat puffed: 1/2 ounce; flaked: 3/4 ounce Other ready-to-eat: 1 ounce Crackers or cookies: 1 ounce Canned bread, steamed puddin& and cake: 1 to 2 ounces Flour or flour mixes: 1 ounce Macaroni, noodles: dry: 3/4 ounce; cooked or canned: 6 ounces -17- Guide for reserve food supply--Continued Kind of food Amount per person for-- l day 2 weeks Remarks 5· Spreads for According to family Examples: Cheese spreads, bread and practices peanut butter, jam, jelly, crackers sirup, honey, apple butter, relish, catsup, mustard. 6. Fats and ------------- Up to l Amount depends on extent of vegetable oil pound or cooking possible. Kinds 1 pint that do not require refrigeration. 7· Sugars, sweets, ------------- l to 2 Sugar, hard candy, gum, nuts, and nuts pounds instant puddings . 8. Miscellaneous According to family Examples: Coffee, tea, cocoa practices and extent of (instant) • Dry cream prod-cooking possible. ucts (instant) . Bouillon products. Flavored beverage powders. Salt and pepper. Flavoring extracts, vinegar. Soda, baking powder. Adapted from Family Food Stockpile for Survival. Table 1, pp. 4-5. CENSUS COUNTS TELEPHONES AND TELEVISION SETS Three out of four households had a telephone in March 1960, according to the Census Bureau. Availability of a telephone ranged from 45 percent for the lowest income group (under $1,500) to 95 percent for the highest; from 67 percent for rural households to 79 percent for urban; and from 62 percent for households made up of a single individual to 81 percent for those in which there were children between the ages of 6 and 17 years. Of the households with no telephone, 70 percent do have one means of communication-- the television. Television ownership was reported by 89 percent of U.S. households in May 1961. It is high in all regions, and on fanns (where 80 percent have TV) as well as cities (90 percent). The households least likely to have a TV set are those composed of one person alone. Only 67 percent of these have televisions, compared with about 95 percent of the bouseholds with 3 to 5 members. -l8- PERSONAL CONSUMPTION EXPENDI'IURES, 2960 Expenditures for goods and services for personal consumption averaged $l, 82l per person in the year 1960, according to U.S. Department of Commerce data. Expenditures for the various commodities and services making up the total were as follows: Total personal consumption expenditures .•• Food, beverages, and tobacco •••••.•.•..• Clothing, accessories, and jewelry •.••.• Personal care .......................... . Housing ................................ . Household operation, furnishings, and equipment •............................ Medical care and death expense ••••.••... Tr8.11sportation ..............•........... Personal business (bank and legal services, interest on personal debt) •. Recreation ............................. . Private education and research .•.••.••.• Religious and welfare activities ...•.••. Foreign travel and net expenditures abroad (i.e., less expenditures in United States by foreigners) •..•...•.. Dollars 1,821 485 188 29 234 254 118 225 114 107 25 26 16 Percent 100.0 26.6 10.3 1.6 12.8 13-9 6.5 12.4 6.3 5-9 1.4 1.4 ·9 Spending for nondurable commodities amounted to 46 percent of the total, durable commodities l3 percent, and services 4o percent. The proportion of personal consumption exPenditures going to services has increased steadily for a number of years and this trend continued in 1960. Services took only 32 percent of total expenditures in 1950. Source: July 1961. U.S. Department of Commerce. Current Population Reports. Survey of Current Business, p. 14. Series P-25, No. 234. August 15, 1961. ESTIMATED COST OF 1 WEEK'S FOOD The table on the opposite page presents the estimated cost of 1 week's food to be prepared and served at home. The estimate is based on quantities of food in the low-cost, moderate-cost, and liberal plans. The plans are available as a leaflet--Low-Cost, MOderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, HHE(Adm..)-146. The cost of food for a specific family can be estimated from the table, since costs are given for individuals of different ages. -19- Estimated Cost of 1 Week's Food,. y July 1961--U .S.A. Average Sex-age groups Low-cost M:>derate- Liberal plan cost plan plan Dollars Dollars Ibllars FAMILIES 14.oo 19.00 21.30 12.4o 17.00 19.00 20.80 27.70 31.50 24.10 32.30 36.60 Family of two, 20-34 years~ ••.•••.•.•.•• Family of two, 55-74 years gj ............ . Family of four, preschool children]/ .•..• Family of four, school children~/ ....... . INDIVIDUALS Children: Under 1 year ............................ 3.10 3.80 4.10 1-3 years ............................... 3-70 4.70 5.30 4-6 years ............................... 4.40 5-70 6.80 7-9 years ............................... 5-30 6.80 7.80 10-12 years ............................. 6.10 8.20 9.40 Girls, 13-15 years ................... • ..... 6.50 8.70 10.00 16-19 years .............................. 6.50 8.70 9·90 Boys, 13-15 years ......................... 7-00 9.60 10.90 16-19 years ............................ .. 8.30 11.20 12.70 Women: 20-34 years ............................. 5.50 7.60 8.50 35-54 years ............................. 5-30 7-30 8.30 55-74 years ............................. 5.00 6.90 7.80 75 years and over ....................... 4.80 6.4o 7.30 Pregnant ................................ 6.90 8.90 9.80 Nursing ................................. 8.60 10.90 12.10 Men: 20-34 yea~ ............................. 7.20 9·70 10.90 35-54 years ............................. 6.70 9.00 10.10 55-74 years ............................. 6.30 8.60 9.50 75 years and over ....................... 6.10 8.20 9.10 ~ These estimates were computed from quantities in low-cost, modera~~cost, and liberal food plans published in tables 2, 3, and 4 of the October 1957 issue of Family Economics Review. Quantities for children were revised January 1959 to comply with the 1958 NRC Recommended Dietary Allo'Wances. The cost of the food plans was first estimated by using the average prices per pound of each food group paid by nonfarm survey families at three selected income levels. These prices were adjusted to current levels by use of Average Retail Prices of Food in 46 Large Cities Combined released periodically by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. ?} Ten percent added for family size adjustment. For derivation of factor for adjustment, see pages 3 and 4 of the September 1960 issue of Family Economics Review. 1/ Man and woman 20-34 years; children, 1-3 and 4-6 years. !Jj Man and woman 20-34 years; children, 7-9 and 10-12 years. -20- CONSUMER PRICES Tabl e 1.--Index of' Prices Paid by Farmers f'or Commodities Used in Family Li'V'ing (1947-49 = 100) August 1960; December 1960-August 1961 Item Aug. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. 1960 1961 - All commodities ............ 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 119 Food and tobacco ......... -- 118 -- -- 118 -- -- 118 -- -- Clothing ................. -- 120 -- -- 119 -- -- 119 -- -- Household operation ...... ·-- 117 -- -- 119 -- -- 118 -- -- Household furnishings .... -- 103 -- -- 102 -- -- 102 -- -- Building materials, house. -- 120 -- -- 121 -- -- 121 -- -- Auto and auto supplies ... -- 140 -- -- 137 -- -- 136 -- -- Source: U.s. Department o"f Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. Table 2.--consum.er Price Index for City Wage-Earner and Clerical-Worker Families (1947-49 = 100) July 1960; November 1960-July 1961 Item July Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July 1960 1961 1961 All items .................. 127 127 128 127 128 128 128 1127 128 128 Food .•...•............... 121 121 121 121 121 121 121 j121 121 122 Apparel .................. 109 111 ill 109 110 110 110 110 110 110 Housing .................. 131 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 Rent ..•...••.••..•.•..• 142 143 143 143 143 143 143 143 144 144 Gas and electricity ••.• 125 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 126 Solid fuels and fuel oil 133 136 137 140 141 141 140 136 136 136 Housef'urnishings .•.•.•• lo4 104 104 104 lo4 lo4 104 104 104 104 Housemld operation ..•. 137 138 138 138 138 138 139 139 139 139 Transportation ••••......• 146 146 146 146 146 146 146 147 148 148 Medical care •.•...•••.•.• 156 158 158 158 159 160 160 160 161 161 Personal care •••••..•.... 133 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 134 Reading and recreation ••• 122 122 122 122 123 123 124 124 124 124 Other goods and services • 132 133 133 133 133 133 133 133 133 134 I Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
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