The More Things Change…? Cross-National Gender Convergence in Family Life Satisfaction 2002-2012

• In Event: 220 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 15. Gendered Marital and Family Satisfaction

Abstract

The first decade of the 21st century was both a time of considerable transformation and stagnation, with uneven change across aspects of work and family life as well as across national contexts. In this study I explore how family life satisfaction changed for men and women over this decade, using data from the International Social Survey Programme’s 2002 and 2012 Family and Changing Gender Roles modules. Specifically, I examine whether there has been convergence or divergence in the family life satisfaction of men and women in 26 countries, and whether any such change is patterned across country contexts. I then turn to examining whether the aspects of work and family that are associated with family life satisfaction have changed over this decade. Though not experienced by all countries, overall I find that there has been gender convergence in family life satisfaction, particularly among Nordic and Post-Socialist countries. Among Nordic countries this was generally because women became more satisfied while men less; among Post-Socialist, it was more frequently that though both increased satisfaction, women did so to a greater extent. That being said, the work and family factors that significantly relate to family life satisfaction continue to be gendered, particularly regarding one’s own and partner’s involvement in paid labor. I find little evidence of substantial change in the work-and-family-related factors affecting family life satisfaction, though what changes do exist may point toward increasing gender parity in certain areas.

Author

• Rebecca K. Grady, Indiana University