Abstract
ABSTRACTGuided by equity theory, we examine how hours of housework by spouse, perceived fairness of housework division, and joint decision-making predict marital quality in Japan. Our analysis of data from the Survey of Midlife Development in Japan (MIDJA) shows that husbands who say their wives perform more hours of housework than themselves report higher marital quality, while no comparable pattern is present for wives. On the other hand, perceived fairness of housework division has a positive effect on marital quality for wives only. Regardless of gender, joint decision-making positively affects marital quality, although this effect is larger for women. We conclude that even in marriages with an uneven division of housework, which are common in societies such as Japan with serious labour market gender inequalities, joint decision-making may allow for greater empathy and less strain.
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