The tools of economic analysis were applied to demographic data in order to develop a social indicator measuring the extent of inequality in the distribution of childrearing responsibility in households from 1940 to 1980. With data drawn from the Current Population Survey of the Bureau of the Census, a "demand intensity" measure was developed. This measure depicts the combination of children and adults in households and arranges households by the relative weight of demands placed on household resources by the number of children present. The Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient methodology were used to analyze the data. Major findings indicated that the distribution of childrearing demands was somewhat more equal during the period from 1940 to 1960 than during the subsequent two decades. However, it was found that, after a shift toward greater equality between 1950 and 1960, the degree of inequality in childrearing responsibilities has increased since 1960. (Implications of the findings for public policy are briefly discussed.) (RH)