Difficulties and Challenges of Dual-Earner Couples in Sharing and Managing Housework during the Child-Rearing Period

Abstract

    Many previous studies on the sharing of housework during marriage couples were based on the question, “How can husbands participate well in a shared-housework situation?” In this paper, I show the existence of difficulties in sharing housework and the concept of “sentient activity” between working couples in coping with these difficulties. This study focuses on the “invisible part” of housework, which is the management of tasks. The following findings were obtained as a result of an interview survey with dual-earner couples during the child-rearing period. First, there were differences in expectations between the couples regarding doing housework. For that reason, most wives do not feel confident in leaving the responsibility for housework to their husbands. Some wives experience differences in how the couple approaches and deals with the tasks. Further, wives need to do additional emotional labor to maintain the connection with their husbands. On the other hand, it was confirmed that only a few of the interviewed wives gave responsibility to their husbands. They recognized the burden of management and adjusted their own set of rules. They also realized that their husbands are their co-managers and respected their husbands' point of view in managing housework.