It's not marriage that helps men earn more, it simply that kids tend to cost women more than men due to the fact that they have to have them, and married women are more likely to have children.

This is why the data typically shows women having similar earnings regardless of whether they are married or single, marriage doesn't actually provide a net positive to anyone when it comes to earnings per se, it's children that makes the difference.

But this is where the debate comes from, as it leaves the question, do married men earn more than everyone else because when children are born, they take on more hours so their wives can take on less hours so they can spend the time with the children.

So, do men gain a boost in marriage because they have to work more hours so the woman can work less and focus on the children.

Or, are higher earning men simply more attractive when it comes to marriage, simply because the majority of women, when it comes to marriage, tend to want a family. What I mean by that is, do women who want marriage and a family more favour men who can provide enough income for the whole family, so that when the children are born, they can step back and focus on the children.

To put it more bluntly, do married men earn the most simply because women who want kids are more likely to marry them than the men who earn less?

The evidence leans towards it being a mixture of both factors, but it's not conclusive, hence, the endless debate around it.

But marriage does not help anyone earn more money, it just provides dual income. The cost is children, especially for women, which is why it's more important when it comes to the debate of income, focusing on the effects of children rather than marriage.

Hope that makes sense, Drennick, thanks for the comment!