Does the birth of a child change the division of household tasks between partners?

Abstract

As part of the ERFI survey (Étude des relations familiales et intergénérationnelles) conducted by INED, the same couples were asked twice, in 2005 and 2008, about the division of household tasks and their degree of satisfaction. In 2005, among women aged 20-49, 8 in 10 report that they "always" or "usually" do the ironing, 7 in 10 prepare the daily meals and half do the vacuum-cleaning and the shopping for food. The birth of a child increases inequalities. In 2008, 38% of women who had a child between the two survey dates and for whom the division of at least three tasks changed unfavourably expressed greater dissatisfaction than in 2005. Only the division of dish washing and organization of social activities remain largely unchanged.