Lockdown life hits women hardest

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-03-09 09:26

International

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The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated household burdens on women - and especially mothers - according to new research. A study of over 30,000 people from across the world suggests that women spent more time on childcare and household chores than men during lockdowns, and that happiness among these women decreased accordingly. The authors say more thought should be given to the impact of lockdowns on gender inequalities in order to protect wellbeing for all.

Media release

From: PNAS

Gender differences in time use and happiness during COVID-19

A study of 31,141 people from five countries finds that during the COVID-19 pandemic women, especially mothers, spent more time on tasks such as childcare and household chores than men, and that women reported decreased happiness during the pandemic to the extent that they spent more time on chores than men; college-aged women reported spending less time on active leisure activities such as hobbies during the pandemic than young men and also reported decreased happiness, according to the authors.

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Research PNAS, Web page

Journal/
conference: PNAS

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Harvard Business School, US

Funder: This research was supported by funding awarded to A.V.W. by the Harvard Business School and the Pershing Square Foundations of Human Behavior Initiative at Harvard University.

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