Division of Domestic Work in the UK Families

As to the division of responsibilities at home, the survey of Devine (Devine 2004) has shown for both parents who work full-time, the couple is more likely to share domestic work but if the woman works part-time, she also does the bulk of the domestic work. Most wives consider their divisions of household labor to be fair. 59% per cent of respondents disagreed with the statement: “a man’s job is to earn money, a women’s job is to look after the home and family”. The research of Biddulph reflected a controversial attitude concerning men’s work and family life. 52% of respondents answered that “earning money should be the priority for a man rather than bringing up children” (48% men respondents and 41% women). However, a quarter of men and a third of women disagreed with this, and thought the opposite (Biddulph 2001).
The research makes it obvious that age has an important influence on respondents’ attitudes. Those from the younger generations do not hold the stereotypical view that the man must be the breadwinner.

Surveys on gender roles in Britain tell us about trends and changes happening in the society. The fact that both men and women disagree with the traditional description of a man to be the bread-winner and the changed belief that the home and child-rearing are all that women really want shows that the UK is far from being a conservative society with defined family roles. Both males and females see personal advantages in moving toward more flexible role options. Spouses want to incorporate role dimensions not assigned to their gender. Relationships’ obligations seem not to be absolute but reciprocal and are negotiated within families.