[rahimnathwani]

> I don't think getting married would have the same effect unless one party gives up work or reduces the number of hours that they worked after being married, this doesn't tend to happen anymore.

Dalke's point is that GDP is an imperfect measure. In his example, the maid's work counts towards GDP (because she is being paid a salary) but the homemaker's work does not count (even though it may be identical in nature and extent.)

[jiggy2011]

The taxable income of the couple would go down only if the maid continues the same work that she did before the marriage but for free rather than getting a different job, but this is quite a specific case that is outside of the norm.

[dalke]

You wrote "this will impact GDP and thus the state's ability to ...", as if that were a bad thing, or at least something to be avoided.

If so, then your logic says that this "outside of the norm" case is also a bad thing for the country, or at least something to be avoided.

Most would disagree with you. For that matter, my own g'grandmother worked as a maid for a man, who she later married. I don't see why you get to call my family history "outside of the norm" simply because it disagrees with your view of economics.