Division of Household Labor in Middle-Aged and Older Chinese: A Couple-Centered Approach

The literature provides an incomplete picture of gender dynamics in later-life domestic work. This couple-level study examines the division of female-typed, gender-neutral, and male-typed housework among middle-aged and older Chinese couples, comparing working and non-working couples. It also explor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research on aging 2024-10, Vol.46 (9-10), p.521-534
Main Author: Luo, Mengsha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Couples
Economic resources
Females
Gender differences
Gender inequality
Housework
Husbands
Income
Labor
Married couples
Middle age
Wives
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Summary:The literature provides an incomplete picture of gender dynamics in later-life domestic work. This couple-level study examines the division of female-typed, gender-neutral, and male-typed housework among middle-aged and older Chinese couples, comparing working and non-working couples. It also explores the different relationships between education, income, and the division of housework in these two groups of couples. The findings derived from national time-use data reveal that, first, non-working couples exhibit a smaller gender gap in household labor compared to working couples, primarily because wives take on more gender-neutral tasks, while husbands assume more female-typed tasks. Second, female-typed housework exhibits the largest gender disparity, followed by gender-neutral housework. Third, educational and economic resources play distinct roles in shaping the division of household chores in the two groups. Furthermore, the time spent on paid work is a more significant factor in explaining gender differences in housework among working couples than education and income.
ISSN:0164-0275
1552-7573
1552-7573
DOI:10.1177/01640275241254859