Lesbian and heterosexual Spanish and Swedish couples: Division of labor and life-satisfaction

Abstract

Objective: To compare the distribution of housework and childcare and satisfaction with work-life balance resources among female same-sex and different-sex parenting couples in Spain and Sweden, and their association with life satisfaction. Background: Same-sex couples have generally reported higher levels of co-responsibility than their different-sex counterparts in terms of housework and childcare. It has yet to be determined whether these differences are maintained in countries with different public gender equality and family policies. Method: Structured interviews were held with 154 mothers who lived with their partner and had children under 13 years of age: 89 from Spain (65 with different-sex partners and 24 with same-sex partners) and 65 from Sweden (27 with different-sex partners and 38 with same-sex partners). Interviews focused on the distribution within the couple of housework and childcare, problems related to work-life balance, satisfaction with work-life balance resources and life satisfaction. Results: Differences were observed in the division of labor between same-sex and different-sex couples in Spain but not in Sweden. Spanish different-sex couples reported a less equal distribution of housework and childcare than their Swedish counterparts. Same-sex couples were as equal in their division of labor in Spain as in Sweden. Satisfaction with housework distribution and personal time availability positively predicted life satisfaction, whereas problems related to work-life balance negatively predicted it. Conclusion: Female same-sex couples, in the microsystem, and public gender equality policies in the macro-system, are encouraging a process of “de-gendering” of family labor, promoting co-responsibility in couples, and thereby fostering their psychological well-being.