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ECONOMIC

Report - The American Presidency Project

Report - The American Presidency Project

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TABLE 36.—Selected characteristics of the lowest, middle, and highest fifths of families ranked bymoney income, 1952 and 1972[Percent]Family characteristicLowest fifthMiddle fifthHighest fifth195219721952197219521972Total families100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0Female head22.032.07.17.14.83.2Head under 25 years of ageHead 65 years of age and over7.130.113.232.86.07.87.57.91.37.91.65.9No earners2 earners or more25.322.436.420.61.236.72.457.0.666.3.874.0Husband-wife families100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0100.0Wife in paid labor force18.919.921.241.338.151.6Mean number of children.1.141.091.431.351.101.25Source: Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.These differences in the characteristics of families by income class havebecome more intense. They raise problems of interpretation which are importantfor public policy designed to influence the distribution of income.Some of these issues are discussed below in the section on poverty.DETERMINANTS OF DIFFERENCES IN EARNINGSAMONG INDIVIDUALSWage rates and annual labor market earnings of individuals vary considerably.Much of this variation can be related statistically to individualdifferences in measurable characteristics—schooling, post-school training,region of residence, and other demographic characteristics, as well as restrictionson entry into occupations. How far such unmeasurable characteristicsas innate ability, diligence, personal attractiveness, and contacts explainthe remaining differences is not known. Nor can it be ascertained how importantluck is in determining the distribution of income.Other aspects of earnings are not included in earnings data. Psychicearnings from having a pleasant job or living in a pleasant locality are notmeasurable. Earnings received by individuals in kind, such as free lodgingand fringe benefits purchased by the employer, are measurable in principle,but difficult to measure in practice.SCHOOLINGSchooling is an important determinant of the distribution of earnings.Table 37 shows average usual weekly earnings for males 35 to 44 years ofage who worked full time. Those with more schooling have substantiallyhigher earnings; and this relation has been persistent in many different setsof data.145

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