Gender Role–Based Differences in Time Allocation

Abstract

Previous studies on daily time allocation have shed light on individuals’ trade-offs regarding time allocation within a fixed time budget. However, the interpersonal interactions of time allocation with a social network are far from understood, largely because of limited research in this area. Furthermore, few studies have focused on the residents of China, whose population is the largest in the world and whose culture is different from that of Western countries. Structural equation models are applied to data collected from 261 households in Shenzhen, China, to investigate the time allocation of male and female household heads on weekdays and weekend days. The results clearly show the household activity roles of Chinese residents: men dominate out-of-home activities, but women dominate in-home activities. Some insightful interpersonal interactions of activity participation between household heads also is offered.