When the gendered division of labor is hindered : Disability and marital arrangements in France

While the gendered division of paid and unpaid work among different-sex couples is known to be shaped by social class and gender, the role of disability remains underexplored. Regression models using French Labor Force Survey data reveal that, compared with couples without limitations, those in which one or both partners have long-lasting limitations are less likely to be dual earners, and those in which the woman has limitations display less gendered specialization in parenthood. A thematic analysis of biographical interviews with 37 disabled adults highlights subjective experiences and decision-making processes regarding paid and unpaid work across different couple employment configurations, as well as the social influences shaping them. Although men’s employment restrictions and women’s housework restrictions prompt circumstantial adjustments in the division of labor, they do not fundamentally transform gender roles. This tension between material constraints and symbolic norms is encapsulated by introducing the new concept of gendered work restriction.