Work

Sharing housework between husbands and wives: how to improve marital satisfaction for working wives in Japan

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines whether and how the marital satisfaction of Japanese couples is related to the housework the spouse performs. For single-earner couples, both husbands and wives are more satisfied with the other spouse ifthe wifeperforms the greater share of the housework on weekdays. In dual-earner couples, both husbands and wives experience higher spousal satisfaction when theotherspouse performs more housework on weekdays. Japanese dual-earner couples are unable to spend more time on housework, because wives are already performing a significant share of housework on weekdays while husbands are working long hours. JEL Classification:J12, J22

Source: IZA Journal of Labor Policy

DOI: 10.1186/s40173-016-0074-9

Authors: Mayu Kobayashi, Miki Kobayashi, Tsunao Okumura, Emiko Usui

Institutions: Saga University, Yokohama National University, Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Gender equality

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,105