How is household labor divided, and what are the consequences? This chapter reviews research on the division of household labor, focusing on issues of measurement, historical and theoretical perspectives, and empirical approaches to explaining this division. It summarizes studies examining the impact of the division of household labor on various aspects of life. The review covers methods of gathering data on housework time and various ways to operationalize the division of household labor. It pays attention to historical and theoretical work on housework, particularly women's responsibility for it, followed by a detailed discussion of current empirical approaches. Criticisms of these approaches are also addressed. Finally, the review examines research on the consequences of the division of household labor, focusing on its impact on labor force participation and wages, marital and family satisfaction, psychological well-being, and perceptions of fairness. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing the division of household labor and its far-reaching effects on individuals and families.
This review is published in the Annual Review of Sociology, which offers comprehensive reviews of significant developments in the field. The paper contributes to the journal's goal of providing a synthetic overview of established and emerging sociological research areas, and informs the reader about what is currently understood on the division of household labor.