TY - JOUR
T1 - Distributive justice in the household
T2 - A comparison of alternative theoretical models
AU - Gager, Constance T.
AU - Hohmann-Marriott, Bryndl
PY - 2006/12/7
Y1 - 2006/12/7
N2 - We analyze the theoretical basis on which wives and husbands evaluate the fairness of the division of household labor. Using distributive justice theory, we argue that evaluations are based on beliefs about equality and equity rules and social comparisons. We developed a number of formal models to account for evaluations of housework fairness and compare these with data from the 1987 National Survey of Families and Households. We find that husbands' evaluations of fairness of the division of household labor are based on more traditional gender-based division of labor as their comparisons tend to be based on comparisons to other men's participation in housework. In contrast, wives' evaluations are based on both gender role norms and the justice principle of marital equality, as they tend to be based on comparisons between their spouse and themselves.
AB - We analyze the theoretical basis on which wives and husbands evaluate the fairness of the division of household labor. Using distributive justice theory, we argue that evaluations are based on beliefs about equality and equity rules and social comparisons. We developed a number of formal models to account for evaluations of housework fairness and compare these with data from the 1987 National Survey of Families and Households. We find that husbands' evaluations of fairness of the division of household labor are based on more traditional gender-based division of labor as their comparisons tend to be based on comparisons to other men's participation in housework. In contrast, wives' evaluations are based on both gender role norms and the justice principle of marital equality, as they tend to be based on comparisons between their spouse and themselves.
KW - Distributive justice
KW - Division of labor
KW - Fairness
KW - Housework
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33845732231&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1300/J002v40n02_02
DO - 10.1300/J002v40n02_02
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33845732231
SN - 0149-4929
VL - 40
SP - 5
EP - 42
JO - Marriage and Family Review
JF - Marriage and Family Review
IS - 2-3
ER -