Organization of housework in heterosexual couples: systematic review of the literature

• Autor(a) principal: Cunha, Madalena
• Data de Publicação: 2016
• Outros Autores: André, Suzana, Aparício, Graça, Santos, Eduardo, Nunes, Celso, Estudantes do 23ºCLE
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.19/3073
• topic: Housework; Gender; Heterosexual couples; Review; Trabalho doméstico; Género; Casais heterossexuais; Revisão

Abstract Problem Statement: We currently live in a society where men are increasingly involved in domestic activities yet women continue to be primarily responsible for their execution. Research Questions: Does the organisation of housework in heterosexual couples varies in frequency and time based on sex? Does the time spent performing household activities differ by gender? Which household chores are performed more often by women and by men? Which variables influence the division of domestic labour between women and men? Purpose of the Study: The aim of this paper is to assess the fairness of the division of housework between men and women, how often men perform it as well as how much time they spend on it in accordance with sociodemographic variables. Research Methods: The study was conducted based on the principles proposed by the Cochrane Handbook. A systematic review of the literature from September to November 2013 was carried out. A critical analysis was performed separately by two researchers. Findings: The variable which most influences division of housework is income, and the one which most influences time spent on doing it is gender. Conclusion: The division of housework between men and women is not equal, with women being overloaded. Sex should therefore be considered in planning children’s educational activities.