Inequalities in reproduction: men and women in unpaid domestic work

Abstract

The article seeks to reflect on the performance of unpaid domestic work by women and men in the age group 25-49, using information from the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNADC) for the year 2019. The data analysis is based on the evaluation of the Rates of housework chores (TRAD), caregiving (TRCD), Social Mean Time (TMS) and Participant Time (TMP). Results show that unpaid domestic work remains along the lines of a complementary and asymmetrical model of the sexual division of labor. The rates for carrying out domestic chores and caregiving show significant participation of men, although lower than that of women; however, they are more concentrated in support activities and interactions outside the home. The differentials observed in the time spent on unpaid domestic work reveal that male participation is still not reflected in a reduction of the time women spent on these activities, pointing to the persistence of gender inequalities in unpaid domestic work at ages of greater pressure due to the demands of both reproductive and productive life.