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Is Work-Family Policy Use Related to the Gendered Division of Housework?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Is Work-Family Policy Use Related to the Gendered Division of Housework?

Sarah Estes, Mary Noonan and David Maume
Journal of family and economic issues, Vol.28(4), pp.527-545
12/2007
DOI: 10.1007/s10834-007-9075-6

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Abstract

Researchers have proposed that work-family policy use may either reinforce or challenge the existing gendered division of labor within couples, but results from prior studies have been inconclusive. Using data from a regional survey of work and family life, we extend this research by focusing on how housework is divided within couples and by differentiating between traditionally female- and male- typed housework tasks. Results show that among dual-earning women, policy use is not related to share of female- or male-typed tasks. Among dual-earning men, policy use is positively related to share of female-typed tasks and negatively related to share of male-typed tasks. These findings suggest that work-family policy use does not reinforce the gendered division of housework.
Personality & Social Psychology Sociology Work Social Sciences, general Family Gender Social Policy Housework

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