Housework and Employment: Trends Before, During, and After the 2007 U.S. Economic Recession

• In Event: 273 - Regular Session. Sociology of Time Use

Abstract

As part of a larger, ongoing project, the goal of this research is to examine gender differences in time spent on core housework tasks before, during, and after the 2007 U.S. economic recession. Previous research suggests that women perform more housework than men. Explanations for these differences fall under three major perspectives: relative resources, time availability, and gender theories. According to the relative resource perspective, the partner contributing the most resources (i.e., money) can bargain out of domestic tasks. The time availability perspective suggests that the partner that performs the most unpaid household labor is the partner with the most time available for these tasks. The third major perspective suggests that men and women are socialized into different roles; males are socialized as paid market contributors, while females are socialized as domestic contributors. Research has found mixed support for these perspectives. Using The American Time Use Survey, which is sponsored by The Bureau of Labor Statistics and conducted through the U.S. Census Bureau, I hope to test these perspectives; specifically time availability. This study provides a unique opportunity to analyze contributions during a time of major economic disruption, the 2007 economic recession, as during this time more unemployment was experienced. Despite employment status differences, findings suggest women still perform more core housework tasks across all time periods.

Author

• Allison Sahl, University of Nevada-Las Vegas