Gender differences in routine housework among one-person households: A cross-national analysis

Joan Garcia-Roman

doi:10.4054/DemRes.2025.52.12

Volume 52 - Article 12 | Pages 369–382

Gender differences in routine housework among one-person households: A cross-national analysis

By Joan Garcia-Roman

Date received:

18 Sep 2024

Date published:

4 Mar 2025

Word count:

2453

Keywords:

cross-national research, gender, housework, unipersonal households

DOI:

10.4054/DemRes.2025.52.12

Supplementary Material:

52-12_additional material_unipersonal (r file, 13 kB)

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Abstract

Background: Housework has long been associated with gender roles, with women traditionally burdened as the primary caregivers in many societies. However, most studies focus on the general population or on couples. This study explores the often overlooked domain of housework in one-person households, where the negotiation of tasks and roles is absent and individuals are solely responsible for their domestic chores.

Objective: Drawing from data collected across 19 countries, the research examines the time allocated to housework by men and women, shedding light on gender disparities in one-person living situations.

Methods: Data come from time-use surveys available in several harmonized databases. The analysis focuses on routine housework tasks, encompassing cleaning, food preparation, cooking, and laundry, which tend to show pronounced gender differences. The study is based on descriptive estimates by country and type of living arrangement, and multivariate regression to predicted gender gaps in routine housework in one-person households by country.

Results: Results indicate the existence of gender disparities in routine housework among individuals living in one-person households. Despite variations across countries, the United States and Canada display a lower gender gap, while Italy and Serbia maintain higher inequality. Greece, South Africa, and South Korea show moderate gender differences, similar to Nordic countries, which are usually considered the most egalitarian.

Conclusions: The persistence of gender disparities in routine housework remains evident in one-person households, although it is less pronounced than in other living arrangements.

Contribution: The study underscores the enduring gender gap in housework, highlighting distinct standards and cross-national variations among one-person households.