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A multicountry perspective on gender differences in time use during COVID-19.
Laura M Giurge1, Ashley V Whillans2, Ayse Yemiscigil3
1Department of Organizational Behavior, London Business School, London NW1 4SA, United Kingdom.
Summary
During the COVID-19 pandemic, women, particularly mothers, spent more time on household chores and childcare. This increased burden correlated with lower reported happiness, highlighting gender disparities in pandemic-related time use.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted daily routines and time allocation globally.
- Understanding changes in time use is crucial for assessing effects on subjective well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in time spent on necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To analyze the relationship between time spent on chores and subjective well-being across diverse international samples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mega- and meta-analyses on data from 31,141 individuals across the United States, Canada, Denmark, Brazil, and Spain.
- Employed a preregistered analytic plan to ensure methodological rigor.
Main Results:
- Consistent gender differences were observed in time allocation during pandemic lockdowns.
- Women, especially mothers, disproportionately shouldered increased time burdens for childcare and household tasks.
- Greater time spent on chores by women was associated with lower self-reported happiness.
Conclusions:
- The pandemic exacerbated existing gender disparities in domestic labor and its impact on well-being.
- Findings underscore the need to consider gendered impacts of crises when formulating public policy.
- Individual differences in time use and well-being require attention in post-pandemic recovery and future preparedness efforts.
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