The gender division of domestic work, parenthood, and relationship quality of British couples: Disseminating theoretical and social implications

• Start date: 01 June 2009
• End date: 31 December 2010

The primary aim of the fellowship is to publish and disseminate the findings of the PhD thesis entitled "From partners to parents: The gender division of domestic work, parenthood, and relationship quality of British couples".

The thesis explores changes in the division of paid and domestic work when British couples become parents and variations between different groups. It also provides the first UK evidence whether the increase in gender inequality that often occurs may be an obstacle to childbearing and relationship quality of new parents in the context of trends towards more egalitarian gender role identities but lagging practice.

Based on statistical analyses of the British Household Panel Survey, the thesis finds that despite emergence of some egalitarian trends, relatively traditional practice and expectations seem to persist among new parents. It argues that the gendered UK policy context also favours more traditional arrangements around parenthood.

Articles reporting the findings will be submitted to academic journals and presented at international conferences. By organising a workshop on the interdependence of the domestic work division within couples and life-course dynamics, this and related research will be disseminated to a variety of audiences affiliated with the ESRC Gender Equality Network.