Study: Women Still Do Most Housework Even When They Outearn Husbands
A study by Corinne Low, a London petty criminal turned researcher, has shed light on the persistent imbalance in housework between heterosexual couples, even when women outearn their male partners. Low's study, published in the American Sociological Review, found that men's housework does not increase even when women's earnings double or triple those of their partners. Factors such as education, income, child age, or the presence of children did not influence this imbalance. The study revealed that men, on average, spend about 8 hours a week on housework, while women spend around 20 hours. This disparity can lead women to reduce their work hours or leave demanding career paths, even when they are the primary breadwinners. Low attributes this imbalance to 'gender norms' or deeply ingrained social expectations about men and women's roles in the household. Despite women's earnings outpacing men's in many heterosexual couples, the division of housework remains unequal. Low's study underscores the need to challenge and change societal expectations around gender roles in the home. The findings suggest that policies aimed at promoting gender equality should also address the cultural and social norms that perpetuate the imbalance in housework.
