Men’s Stress Increases If Wife Earns More Than 40% of Household Income

Elizabeth Warren is the author of a book called The Two-Income Trap - which is mostly apolitical and talks about an interesting economic/statistical paradox.

If a man and woman make equal amounts in a marriage, they are twice as likely to undergo financially hardship as a marriage where the male is the sole breadwinner. This is because almost any couple is going to budget more than 50% of their total income regardless, so a single firing or loss of job can lead to financial hardship. It is paradoxical because a second income should provide an additional safety net, but because of the way people budget having two points of failure (even if the failure isn't as devastating) increases the odds.

I am unable to get into the original article, but I wonder if it is always the case that men's stress increases if wife earns more than 40% or if it is the case that men's stress increases when the wife earns more than 40% and less than 60%.

It sounds like this occurs during some sort of change, such as she earns more or he earns less.

Any job change, loss, etc certainly bring stresses of their own.