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The impact of COVID-19 on the gender division of housework and childcare: Evidence from two waves of the pandemic in Italy

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on families’ lives because of the increased demands of housework and childcare. Much of the additional burden has been shouldered by women. Yet, the rise in remote working also has the potential to increase paternal involvement in family life and thus to reduce gender role inequalities. This effect depends on the working arrangements of each partner, whether working remotely, at their usual workplace, or ceasing work altogether. Using two waves of an ad-hoc survey conducted in April and November 2020, we show that the time spent by women in domestic activities did not depend on their partners’ working arrangements. Conversely, men spent fewer hours helping with housework and home schooling when their partners were at home. Although men who worked remotely or did not work at all devoted more time to household activities during the second wave of COVID-19, the increased time they spent at home did not seem to lead to a reallocation of couples’ time.

Source: IZA Journal of Labor Economics

DOI: 10.2478/izajole-2022-0003

Authors: Daniela del Boca, Noemi Oggero, Paola Profeta, Maria Cristina Rossi

Institutions: Collegio Carlo Alberto, University of Turin, Bocconi University, Network for Studies on Pensions, Aging and Retirement

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,535