Gershuny (1994) found what effect as wives moved into paid employment?

Gershuny (1994) found what effect as wives moved into paid employment?

• A. Wives did less housework; men did a bit more.
• B. Wives did more housework; men did less.
• C. Wives did less housework; men did a lot more.
• D. Wives' paid employment had no effect on housework.

Answer: (A)

When wives move into paid employment, the division of household tasks tends to shift toward more equal sharing, though not dramatically. Gershuny’s finding shows that as wives began earning wages, they tended to do less housework, and men stepped in to do a bit more themselves. This reflects how paid work changes time availability and the bargaining dynamics inside the household: with wives spending less time at home for domestic tasks, their partners often take on a larger share to maintain joint functioning of the household. The increase for men is usually modest, suggesting a gradual move toward equality rather than a complete reallocation.

It’s why the option that best fits the data is the one where wives reduce housework and men increase theirs only slightly. Other possibilities would imply larger shifts or no change, which Gershuny’s findings did not show.