The Domestic Labor Puzzle: Meaning and Emotion
Volume
37
Issue
5
Abstract
It is hypothesized that domestic labor inequality produces negative emotions among dual-earner wives. However, researchers are puzzled to find that the majority of wives don't report negative emotion. This paper examines the meaning domestic labor has to women and how it influences their emotion. A cluster analysis was conducted using three measures: domestic labor as part of the wives self-identity, importance of equality, and fairness of the division. The analysis shows that when meaning is considered, visible connections emerge between the division of labor and emotions regarding inequality. Meaning may be the missing piece to resolving the domestic labor puzzle.
Recommended Citation
Bunnell, J. B., & Beutler, I. F. (1999). The Domestic Labor Puzzle: Meaning and Emotion. The Journal of Extension, 37(5), Article 8. https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol37/iss5/8
