Indian Husbands: Their Role Perceptions and Performance in Single- and Dual-Earner Families

Abstract

This study compares the Indian husbands role in single and dual earner families by defining 1) perceptions of the ideal husband by both spouses 2) decision-making roles and 3) division of domestic labor. The effects of the wifes employment on the husbands role are also examined. Data were collected in 1979 from samples of workers in Bangalores 3 major public sector industries with a high concentration of women workers. The sampling procedures called for an equal number of respondents living in dual and single earner families as well as agreement by both spouses to interviews. The final sample consisted of 245 single earner and 245 dual earner couples. Interviews were about 90 minutes long and were conducted by female and male intervieweres in the couples homes. The study found that spouses in both single and dual earner families tend to agree on the ideal husband with dual earner wives more conservative in the role perceptions. The continuing influence of traditional values governing marital roles has encouraged wives to defer to their husbands even though they share the provider role. Few employed wives perceive their coprovider roles as a resource to be employed in bargaining for domestic concessions from their husbands. They view performing household duties as part of their obligation as good wives and mothers. Accordingly the dimension of the husbands role that is most resistant to change is participation in performing household duties. Husbands in both groups do not significantly differ in the amount of time spent on various chores; they spend an average of 10-13.5 hours/week on domestic work while their wives average 60-84 hours/week of domestic work. Perhaps surprisingly both dual and single earner couples tend to be egalitarian in decision-making although the former is slightly more so than the latter.