Study: Women Don't Have More Work to Do, After All

[bijou]

There's a new voice in the never-ending argument of who works harder, men or women.

A new study from the London School of Economics has come up with an unexpected answer to that question, at least as it applies to Europe. Data gathered from across the European Union demonstrated that both men and women generally put in about 8 hours of productive work -- including both paid jobs and unpaid housework -- per day.

Catherine Hakim, an LSE sociologist, said the study's conclusion "overturns the well-entrenched theory that women work disproportional long hours in jobs and at home in juggling family and work. Feminists constantly complain that men are not doing their fair share of domestic work. The reality is that most men already do more than their fair share."

"Men do substantially more hours of paid work," she adds. "Women's time is divided more evenly between paid and unpaid work."

Hakim's conclusions are, she writes, the logical outcome predicted by "preference theory" -- the notion that in a free society, people will gravitate toward the type of work they prefer to do. She predicts, "a sizable minority of women will continue to prioritise home and family life, while a majority will choose an even balance between family and paid work." ...

http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/women-dont-work-more-than-men-after-all-says-study/19584108

[Thor]

and, typically, the men get stuck with the more physically demanding work, at least at home. I know many women that are loathe to run a lawnmower, dig holes, fix the car, etc. 

[MrsSmith]

I work 8 hours a day and commute 2
I do 99% of the cooking (Mr Smith grills out sometimes)
I do 99% of the laundry, house cleaning, and repair work.  (Mr Smith does take care of the mower.)

I probably average 30 hours a week, every week, on unpaid work...but some weeks, I put in a lot more time.

Mr Smith works a lot of overtime... but home time, except for the mowing and trimming, is almost 100% down time for him.

I have severe doubts about the OP.   

[soleil]

I work 8 hours a day and commute 2
I do 99% of the cooking (Mr Smith grills out sometimes)
I do 99% of the laundry, house cleaning, and repair work.  (Mr Smith does take care of the mower.)

I probably average 30 hours a week, every week, on unpaid work...but some weeks, I put in a lot more time.

Mr Smith works a lot of overtime... but home time, except for the mowing and trimming, is almost 100% down time for him.

I have severe doubts about the OP.   

In my household, I would say that my husband and I work equally. He helps me clean the house. He knows I don't do dishes, even though we have a dishwasher, and he has no problem doing that. Plus he takes out the garbage and vacuums quite regularly. He also does about 50% of the cooking and ALL of the yardwork. I do the laundry, sweep, mop, dust, toilets, and bathtubs. We share our parenting duties quite equally as well. Although, my baby girl is in a stage now where no one but mama will do.

My husband's paid job is probably more physically demanding than mine, and he has to deal with all of the client relations, but my job is more mental, so we are probably equal there as well. He may have a little more on me in that department.

So, for me, this study tends to be true. And probably for all my friends as well, but we are of a younger generation, and things have changed a lot. Anyway, I can see how it wouldn't be true for many.

[MrsSmith]

In my household, I would say that my husband and I work equally. He helps me clean the house. He knows I don't do dishes, even though we have a dishwasher, and he has no problem doing that. Plus he takes out the garbage and vacuums quite regularly. He also does about 50% of the cooking and ALL of the yardwork. I do the laundry, sweep, mop, dust, toilets, and bathtubs. We share our parenting duties quite equally as well. Although, my baby girl is in a stage now where no one but mama will do.

My husband's paid job is probably more physically demanding than mine, and he has to deal with all of the client relations, but my job is more mental, so we are probably equal there as well. He may have a little more on me in that department.

So, for me, this study tends to be true. And probably for all my friends as well, but we are of a younger generation, and things have changed a lot. Anyway, I can see how it wouldn't be true for many.

It might be true for couples like you two...and it might be true for couples where the man does all the repair work - though most people now pay for most repairs...but I think I'm stuck in the generation that was raised by mostly stay-at-home moms, and a lot of our men just don't seem to get the difference between being home all day, and getting home at 5 to start the unpaid work.  I know I am not at all alone in this...though I doubt many other women do as much of the repair and maintenance work as I do...(that's a hang-over from being a single mom, when I did all of both jobs and still worked full-time.  At least, now, I have someone that does SOME of the unpaid work without whining about allowance money.)   

[soleil]

It might be true for couples like you two...and it might be true for couples where the man does all the repair work - though most people now pay for most repairs...but I think I'm stuck in the generation that was raised by mostly stay-at-home moms, and a lot of our men just don't seem to get the difference between being home all day, and getting home at 5 to start the unpaid work.  I know I am not at all alone in this...though I doubt many other women do as much of the repair and maintenance work as I do...(that's a hang-over from being a single mom, when I did all of both jobs and still worked full-time.  At least, now, I have someone that does SOME of the unpaid work without whining about allowance money.)   

To me, there is no job harder than being a stay at home mom. I haven't really done it, but I've stayed at home with my baby for a few weeks at a time, plus those few months when she was first born. It is hard because there is no such thing as a break. In between cooking (feeding), cleaning, playing... Well there is no in between. That is pretty much what you do all day. It is enjoyable to spend that time with your child, but there is never any "me" time. No breaks. Even using the bathroom is a luxury. Of course, I am sure it gets somewhat easier as children become more independent, but there is hardly any adult interaction. You are in a kids world all day. And as fun as that sounds, it can be so very tiring. Kudos to all those that can and do do it. We can't financially do it, but even if we could, I am not sure we would. I love the social interaction my child gets at daycare, so I may would send her to daycare anyway. Not sure, since that isn't an option for me.

Now when I said my husband does all of that stuff, he really doesn't mind it. If he did, then I'd do it. Except the dishes. Not sure what I have against that. I'd rather scrub the toilet with a toothbrush than do dishes.

[MrsSmith]

To me, there is no job harder than being a stay at home mom. I haven't really done it, but I've stayed at home with my baby for a few weeks at a time, plus those few months when she was first born. It is hard because there is no such thing as a break. In between cooking (feeding), cleaning, playing... Well there is no in between. That is pretty much what you do all day. It is enjoyable to spend that time with your child, but there is never any "me" time. No breaks. Even using the bathroom is a luxury. Of course, I am sure it gets somewhat easier as children become more independent, but there is hardly any adult interaction. You are in a kids world all day. And as fun as that sounds, it can be so very tiring. Kudos to all those that can and do do it. We can't financially do it, but even if we could, I am not sure we would. I love the social interaction my child gets at daycare, so I may would send her to daycare anyway. Not sure, since that isn't an option for me.

Now when I said my husband does all of that stuff, he really doesn't mind it. If he did, then I'd do it. Except the dishes. Not sure what I have against that. I'd rather scrub the toilet with a toothbrush than do dishes.

I did the stay-at-home mom thing with my older kids.  With the first one, it was horrible.  of course, I didn't know what I was doing with the kid, or the house, or the cooking.  Talk about on-the-job training.   

Being a stay-at-home with my 4th one was actually a lot of fun...there were older kids to take her attention at times, and I knew "the job" by then.   

[soleil]

I did the stay-at-home mom thing with my older kids.  With the first one, it was horrible.  of course, I didn't know what I was doing with the kid, or the house, or the cooking.  Talk about on-the-job training.   

Being a stay-at-home with my 4th one was actually a lot of fun...there were older kids to take her attention at times, and I knew "the job" by then.   

4 kids sounds so daunting!! lol! We are soon to be working on having #2, and we both decided before we had any kids that 2 was a good number for us. We (or I) may change our minds after (if--hopefully--God willing) #2 gets here. My best friend has 4. My brother has 4. Scares me to pieces!! lol! Good for you for doing it. And our first is always on the job training, right? Whew! It was for me. I thought "what have I done", but then it got so much easier, and so wonderul and rewarding.

[Celtic Rose]

I don't really care whether men or women actually do more work.  I'm more shocked the average amount of productive work is only 8 hours per day, paid and unpaid. 

[MrsSmith]

4 kids sounds so daunting!! lol! We are soon to be working on having #2, and we both decided before we had any kids that 2 was a good number for us. We (or I) may change our minds after (if--hopefully--God willing) #2 gets here. My best friend has 4. My brother has 4. Scares me to pieces!! lol! Good for you for doing it. And our first is always on the job training, right? Whew! It was for me. I thought "what have I done", but then it got so much easier, and so wonderul and rewarding.

Yeah, the 4th was so much fun that I went and had a 5th, too.     She was fun, too.  But then I married Mr Smith, and he has 2 kids...and we just couldn't afford daycare one more time. 



To Celtic:  I don't believe that figure, either.  Anyone with a full-time job puts in 8 hours already...

[soleil]

Yeah, the 4th was so much fun that I went and had a 5th, too.     She was fun, too.  But then I married Mr Smith, and he has 2 kids...and we just couldn't afford daycare one more time. 



To Celtic:  I don't believe that figure, either.  Anyone with a full-time job puts in 8 hours already...

lol! The Brady Bunch, sorta kinda! 

[MrsSmith]

lol! The Brady Bunch, sorta kinda! 

Not even close...

"His" are mild-mannered, clean-mouthed Christian girls that had never camped, never cussed, and never, well, acted like kids...

"Hers" are rowdy, foul-mouthed street-fighters that gave the Christian kids anxiety attacks for the first few years, until my #3 got his GED and moved away. 

We would have made a GREAT reality show...   

[IassaFTots]

I don't really care whether men or women actually do more work.  I'm more shocked the average amount of productive work is only 8 hours per day, paid and unpaid. 

CR...it's Europe.  Dang slackers.   

[Thor]

I don't really care whether men or women actually do more work.  I'm more shocked the average amount of productive work is only 8 hours per day, paid and unpaid. 

If one seriously looks at the amount of work that's actually performed in an eight hour work day, they'd be amazed. I do know that while I was USN, we were lucky to get four-six hours of actual work accomplished.

Here's an article that addresses corporate American work habits: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/07/11/wastingtime.TMP

[NHSparky]

Well, no use bitching about who does more work in MY house.

I do it ALL.

[MrsSmith]

If one seriously looks at the amount of work that's actually performed in an eight hour work day, they'd be amazed. I do know that while I was USN, we were lucky to get four-six hours of actual work accomplished.

Here's an article that addresses corporate American work habits: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2005/07/11/wastingtime.TMP

In my profession, we're supposed to actually account for a good portion of our workday...some have taken it to the point of timing every phone call.  This became sort of an obsession with one of my bosses...and he figured out that a 2 minute phone call in the middle of some given (but familiar) action can actually cause you to take 4 times the amount of time you'd otherwise need to complete that action.  He actually considered making us leave our cell phones in the office while we were working elsewhere...until he realized HE couldn't call us, either.   

[Crazy Horse]

Well, no use bitching about who does more work in MY house.

I do it ALL.

Amen brother

[Thor]

During my first few tours in the Navy, we had to account for almost everything we did and for every minute of the day. Maintenance Action Forms and Support Action Forms. The resultant reporting (or lack of) was reflected in our manning levels.

[Chris_]

To me, there is no job harder than being a stay at home mom. I haven't really done it, but I've stayed at home with my baby for a few weeks at a time, plus those few months when she was first born. It is hard because there is no such thing as a break. In between cooking (feeding), cleaning, playing... Well there is no in between. That is pretty much what you do all day. It is enjoyable to spend that time with your child, but there is never any "me" time. No breaks. Even using the bathroom is a luxury. Of course, I am sure it gets somewhat easier as children become more independent, but there is hardly any adult interaction. You are in a kids world all day. And as fun as that sounds, it can be so very tiring. Kudos to all those that can and do do it. We can't financially do it, but even if we could, I am not sure we would. I love the social interaction my child gets at daycare, so I may would send her to daycare anyway. Not sure, since that isn't an option for me.

Now when I said my husband does all of that stuff, he really doesn't mind it. If he did, then I'd do it. Except the dishes. Not sure what I have against that. I'd rather scrub the toilet with a toothbrush than do dishes.

Agreed.

It was hard for me to find time to shower when I was home.  I had to bring the bouncer into the bathroom and strap my daughter into it in order to shower daily.  There were days she cried through my entire shower.  I felt so bad for her, but I would tell her it will only take 15 minutes. 

While I was home, my husband put in a lot of overtime.  He would sometimes work from 6am-5pm.  So I would do the dishes, laundry, cleaning, some of the cooking (we took turns), etc.  We rent, so there was no need to mow the lawn.  That's probably one of the pluses of renting.  No yard work when it's 110 degrees out. 

My husband does any and all car maintenance/repairs.  He does it because he knows cars and it saves us money.

Now that I am working full-time again, we split the housework up.  It helps me out because sometimes when I see my list growing, I get a little stressed out if I have too much on my plate.  So my husband will usually clean the kitchen, load/unload the dishwasher, and scrub down the stove while I do everything else.

[soleil]

Agreed.

It was hard for me to find time to shower when I was home.  I had to bring the bouncer into the bathroom and strap my daughter into it in order to shower daily.  There were days she cried through my entire shower.  I felt so bad for her, but I would tell her it will only take 15 minutes. 

While I was home, my husband put in a lot of overtime.  He would sometimes work from 6am-5pm.  So I would do the dishes, laundry, cleaning, some of the cooking (we took turns), etc.  We rent, so there was no need to mow the lawn.  That's probably one of the pluses of renting.  No yard work when it's 110 degrees out. 

My husband does any and all car maintenance/repairs.  He does it because he knows cars and it saves us money.

Now that I am working full-time again, we split the housework up.  It helps me out because sometimes when I see my list growing, I get a little stressed out if I have too much on my plate.  So my husband will usually clean the kitchen, load/unload the dishwasher, and scrub down the stove while I do everything else.

Sounds very familiar!! My child is now the age where we'd like to start to add to the family (only 1 more), but it does blow my mind thinking about caring for 2 babies. I know women and men have done it for centuries, and we can do it. I just have to remember that I will sleep again one day, that diapers aren't a permanent dealio, and that having children is so very wonderful. Ok, that is me giving myself a pep talk. lol. Plus being pregnant for me was so darned hard the first 20 weeks, I wonder how in the world I will be able to still be a good mama while I am so exhausted and puking my guts up.

Being a parent is very hard work. It is a forever "job", but I have to say no other job is more rewarding, fun, and just beautiful. Even though my girl is almost 2, I still look at her in amazement. I am sure I always will. I can't fathom how my husband and I created this perfect little being. Blows my mind every single day.