Analyzing Housework Through Family and Gender Perspectives

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Housework shapes the invaluable role that women play in the society. However, given that the time allocated to housework affects the time spent on market work, this raises several critical issues based on economic and sociological perspectives. This Policy Note analyzes the role of wage and attitudes toward gender roles within the family in determining the time allocated to housework. Using the 2002 International Social Survey Program and instrumental variable technique, the study finds that the female respondents' wage positively affects husbands' time devoted to housework, which reflects the shifting dynamics of gender roles among households and in the labor market. It recommends government to address issues that severely increase the time outside of home and reduce family members' interaction, such as poor road conditions. To support parents who work, it also calls for the government to explore the provision of day-care and tutorial services at affordable costs to ensure that children are getting good supplementary care.