Considering the absence of legal coercion, the surprising thing is that men have for so long, and, on the whole, so reliably, adhered to what we might call the breadwinner ethic.

Summary

This quote suggests that it is remarkable that men have voluntarily and consistently embraced the role of being the primary earners in families, despite the lack of any legal obligation to do so. The "breadwinner ethic" refers to the societal expectation that men take on the responsibility of financially supporting their families. The quote implies that this adherence to the breadwinner role has been notable because it has been largely driven by personal choice and societal norms, rather than legal requirements or coercion.

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