Related Experiment Videos
Gender differences among spouses of surgeons
Lillian S Kao1, Erik B Wilson, Kimberly D Anderson
1Department of Surgery, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 5656 Kelley Street, Suite 30S62008, Houston, TX 77026, USA. Lillian.S.Kao@uth.tmc.edu
American Journal of Surgery
|April 12, 2005
Summary
Gender differences in surgeon spouses reveal that while both genders equally support careers, women bear more household responsibilities and decision-making. This impacts perceptions of work-life balance for surgeons' families.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Surgical Career Development
- Gender Studies in Medicine
Background:
- Investigating potential gender disparities in spousal perceptions of surgeons' careers.
- Examining spousal support, satisfaction, and career perception among academic surgeons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if gender differences exist in how spouses perceive and support surgeons' careers.
- To analyze gender-based variations in satisfaction and decision-making roles within surgeon households.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to spouses of academic surgeons across the United States and Canada.
- Data collection focused on spousal support, career satisfaction, and home responsibilities.
Main Results:
- Female respondents were less likely to be employed outside the home but more likely to be primary decision-makers domestically.
- Female spouses reported less contribution from their surgeon partners in household duties and childcare.
- Despite employment status, female spouses consistently held greater decision-making power at home.
Conclusions:
- Spousal contributions to surgeons' career choices are equal across genders.
- Female spouses, regardless of their own employment, disproportionately manage household decisions and care.
- Findings highlight a persistent gendered division of labor in the domestic sphere, even within high-achieving professional families.