The distribution of home and care work as a proof of equality in couple relationships

This article presents some of the results of a larger qualitative piece of research about negotiations in egalitarian couples. More specifically, it focuses on the negotiations about the housework and care work, since its distribution works as a thermometer for gender equality. According to the respondents, work distribution is not explicitly negotiated; it is rather defined as a ‘natural’, non-premeditated distribution, because this explicitness would confront the ideal of romantic love in our society. Yet, the female interviewees express a wish for change and reveal an underlying conflict: the lack of open negotiation leads to an unequal distribution based on traditional gender roles, thus impeding progress on gender equality.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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