Does Unequal Housework Lead to Divorce?: Evidence from Sweden
2018 (English)In: Sociology, ISSN 0038-0385, E-ISSN 1469-8684, Vol. 52, no 1, p. 75-94Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The lack of couple-level data hinders direct exploration of how inconsistencies in couples? housework reports structure their relationship quality. We address this limitation by applying Swedish data from the 2009 Young Adult Panel Study (N = 1057 couples) matched with Swedish register data (2009?2014) to extend equity theory by estimating mismatch in couples? housework reports on relationship satisfaction and stability. We find women who report performing more housework are less likely to be satisfied with their relationships, and are more likely to consider breaking up. These unions are also more likely to dissolve. Using both partners? housework reports, we document discrediting women?s housework contribution, or reporting she does less than she reports, is associated with lower relationship satisfaction. Women in these partnerships also consider breaking up, and the unions are more likely to dissolve. Our results identify the gendered impact of housework inequality on relationship stability.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Sage Publications, 2018. Vol. 52, no 1, p. 75-94
Keywords [en]
divorce, housework, register data, relationship satisfaction, Sweden
National Category
Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-142379DOI: 10.1177/0038038516674664ISI: 000423185800005Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85041007087OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-142379DiVA, id: diva2:1153369
Note
Funding agencies: Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare [2012-0646]; Australian Research Council DECRA [DE150100228]; European Unions Seventh Framework Programme [320116]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
2017-10-302017-10-302018-03-09Bibliographically approved