Technology and changes in the division of labor in the American home

Abstract

Popular ideology indicates that technology has helped to liberate women from the household. But in practice, just as women's work load at home was declining, technology allowed the taking on of new burdens. We examine the specific impacts of various levels of technologies-industrialization, utilities, appliances, and convenience foods-on the division of household labor. Effects are measured in three ways: (1) potential reallocation of women's time; (2) redivision of household labor among its members, and (3) Labor market aids for housework including convenience foods or home services. We conclude that most past change in work content has occurred from non-technological sources, and that household division of labor seems to be increasing. Future 'liberation{approaches the limit} is most likely to come through the provision of labor market services for the household. © 1979 Pergamon Press Ltd.