Do Spanish Dual-Earner Couples Share Unpaid Work Equally?

Abstract

This study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between the amount of time devoted to housework and childcare in Spanish dual-earner couples and several observable characteristics, paying particular attention to individual and relative earnings. We use daily data drawn from the latest Spanish Time Use Survey (2009–2010). Results show that the time that women spend on housework depends on their relative income. The time allocated by women to housework decreases until they contribute to half of the household income; however, as women’s earnings rise above those of their partners, the amount of housework they perform increases, which supports the compensatory gender display. There is not a clear relationship between the time devoted to housework and their absolute income. For men, relative income has also a negative association with household chores while absolute income does not affect the time they dedicate to housework. Regarding childcare, the time spent by women and men on caring for their children does not depend on either relative or absolute earnings.