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Sex differences in household labor time a comparison of rural and urban couples

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Abstract

A sample of 440 full-time employed couples from 11 states was examined to determine the differences between time spent on housework by husbands and wives in rural and urban areas. More time is spent in housework in rural families than in urban families because time spent in housework is greater for rural women than for urban women, while rural and urban husbands' times do not differ. Education of spouses, job status differentials, and age of the younger child do not significantly interact with rural-urban residence and sex of the spouse. However, family income does significantly influence the relationship between time spent on housework for rural and urban husbands and wives.

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The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. This study contributes to Regional Research Project NE-113, “Use of Time in Rural and Urban Families.” Cooperating states are California, Connecticut, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Approved for publication by the director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station as Manuscript No. 86-25-0359.

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Lawrence, F.C., Draughn, P.S., Tasker, G.E. et al. Sex differences in household labor time a comparison of rural and urban couples. Sex Roles 17, 489–502 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287731

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287731

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