The pattern of Time Allocation of Husbands and Wives: Based on the Household Production Approach

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association 1997;35(1):319-338.

논문편 : 부인과 남편의 시간배분구조 분석 : 가정생산모델을 중심으로

허경옥

성신여자대학교 가정관리학과

The pattern of Time Allocation of Husbands and Wives: Based on the Household Production Approach

허경옥

ABSTRACT

This study examined the time allocation pattern of husbands and wives. This study investigated i)the pattern of time allocation in the light of the extent of time spent in housework child care and leisure among husbands and wives living in urban area ii) the differences in extent of time spent in such activities between wives and husbands and iii) the determinants of time spent in such activities. A system of time allocation equations based on household production theory and several hypotheses explaining the distribution of domestic work among couples were employed. According to the results the pattern of time allocation was different between wives and husbands. Regardless of women's employment status wives were more likely to have dual responsibilities than were husbands. The time equation employed in this study had more explanatory power in the pattern of time allocation of wives than of husbands and of employed wives than of non-employed wives. The sex-role ideology hypothesis was supported for non-employed wives but not for employed wives. The time availability hypothesis was supported for the time allocation of employed wives and husbands. The economic efficiency hypothesis was supported for employed wives' time allocation.