Diverging Trends in Satisfaction With Housework: Declines in Women, Increases in Men

Abstract

Objective This study provides the first assessment of changes in women's and men's satisfaction with housework. Background The gender gap in housework time has narrowed, but it remains unknown how subjective evaluations of housework have changed across the “gender revolution” in market and domestic spheres. Method This study used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study. A probability sample of West German men and women (N = 193,021 person-years) born between 1920 and 1989 was observed across major stages of the adult life course (ages 20–79). The analysis was based on generalized least squares random-effects regression models for change with age and change across cohorts in a single-item measure of satisfaction with housework. Results Satisfaction with housework declined in women and increased in men. These diverging trends contrast with concurrent shifts in time spent on housework. This means that women became less satisfied despite doing less housework, whereas men became more satisfied despite doing more housework. Conclusion These trends are better explained by changes in individual gender role attitudes than by changes in couple evaluations of equity.