This paper studies the relative contribution of Chinese husbands and wives to the family income in the
process of economic transition. We find that the role of urban husbands as the main financial supporters of
their families becomes relatively more important during economic transition. We argue that this trend may
have reflected the restoration of the functions of household production and labor market in the process of
economic transition. This restoration allows households to allocate time, effort and human capital
investment for each household member and for each household and market activity in a more efficient way.