Men are still the main wage earners in a bare majority of American households, according to a new poll.

The
survey, carried out by Rasmussen, found that 51pc of men say
they earn the most money in their marriage or domestic partnership,
compared to 23pc of women who say they earn the most.

Fifty-four percent of women say their partner earns more, only 18pc of men say their partner is the bigger earner. 

Respondents
were asked: “In your marriage or domestic partnership, who earns more
money—you or your spouse? Or are your incomes roughly the same?”

Of the 1,818 polled, the 1,238 adults who were married or cohabiting answered the question.

The
poll also found that 79pc of Americans rate the institution of marriage
at least somewhat important to U.S. society, with 55pc who see it as
very important. 

Only 29pc believe that in a family with children, it is good for both parents to work full-time.

In the workplace, 63pc of employed adults say men and women generally receive equal pay for equal work. 

Only 16pc do not believe males and females earn equal pay where they work, but 22pc more are not sure.

However
the survey found a difference of opinion between the sexes on this
question. Seventy percent of men say men and women generally receive
equal pay for equal work at their workplace, but just 56pc of women
agree. 

Seventy-three percent of government workers believe men
and women are paid equally where they work, compared to 59pc of those
employed in the private sector.

Younger adults are less likely than their elders to believe men and women receive equal pay.

Those who earn $100,000 or more a year are the strongest believers that men and women are paid equally in their place of work.

Investors believe more strongly than non-investors that pay discrimination does not occur at their workplace.