Breadearning

/ˈbrɛdˌɜrnɪŋ/ adjective

Definition

Related to or engaged in earning money to support oneself or a family.

Etymology

Gerund/adjective form of breadearner, formed by adding -ing to the concept of earning bread.

Kelly Says

The shift from 'breadearner' to 'breadearning' shows how language becomes more flexible when describing work—the phrase adapts to describe activities and roles.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Gerund of gendered term; perpetuates male-as-default primary earner. Labor historians show 40%+ of women earned wages in early 20th century, yet 'breadearning' remained male-coded.

Inclusive Usage

Prefer 'income earning' or 'wage earning' for gender-neutral reference to income generation.

Inclusive Alternatives

["income earning","wage earning","providing income"]

Empowerment Note

Women's historical contributions to family income were systematized out of visibility by breadwinner-homemaker ideology; acknowledge diversity of earning models.

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