Fathers’ changing performance of housework: A bigger slice of a smaller pie

Abstract

The amount of time devoted to housewolt( was measured for both fathers and mothers residing in a southwestern community within the United States during 1989 and 1994. A scientific random sample was used and respondents were interviewed by telephone. The findings were compared to measures and results from studies dating back to the 1920s. The contention that today's fathers are taking on more family duties than their predecessors and that wives' employment is a primary causal factor were assessed. Compared to earlier studies, the findings show that today' a couples devote less time to housework. Within this declining trend a contradictory pattern emerged for fathers. While their proportional contributions to housewolt( consistently increased, simultaneous the amount of tine fathers spent has varied very little. This pattern suggests a trend toward parity with mothers. Exception was south western fathers whose wives were employed. They spent less time doing housewolt( than fathers who were the sole earners in the family. The most important factor contributing to parents doing an equal amount of housework was the reductions in time spend by mothers.