Money Equals Time: Influence of Poverty Status on Hours Spent Doing Housework

Abstract

ABSTRACT Using data drawn from the second wave of the National Study of Families and Households (n = 3,263), this study examines relationships between poverty status and hours spent doing housework. The measure of housework time was computed by summing self-reported estimates of the number of hours spent performing core domestic tasks such as ironing, preparing meals, and washing dishes. Hierarchical regression analysis indicates that compared to their non-poor counterparts, women in poverty spend significantly more time performing household tasks. The effect of poverty on men's housework time was unchanged. The findings from this study may be useful for both policy and practice in recognizing that poor women carry an extra burden of added household time that may deplete personal resources and further complicate efforts to move into paid employment.