Equalization of paid working hours in the dual-earner household: Does it increase women's double burden?

Abstract

By using a sample of Swedish dual-earner households, this paper investigates how a transfer of time spent on paid work from the man to the woman influences their allocation of unpaid household work. It is found that their total time engaged in household work decreases. This result suggests that dual-earner households who equalize their paid working hours, will spend less time on work chores in the household that traditionally have been done by women. The conclusion is that women’s dual role as breadwinner and provider of work and care in the household is associated with an increased workload for women.