The Formation Process of Role-sharing Attitudes towards Meal Preparation in Dual-income Families:

Focusing on the Utilization of the Short-time Work System by Highly Educated Women

Abstract

    A discussion of the process of women assuming the role of meal preparation is presented in this paper. The analysis is based on interviews with highly educated women who are working together and raising pre-school children. The women who were the main meal preparers defined their situation as one in which they would have to use the short-time work system if they continued to work after their childcare leave. This decision was based on the sense of responsibility for childcare implied by the workplace practice of women using the short-time work system after parental leave. Consequently, the use of the shorttime work system can be seen to place women in charge not only of childcare but also of meal preparation.