Intra‐Household Specialization in Housework in the United States and Denmark^*

Abstract

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Relative labor supply in intermarriage

“…Finally, the optimal degree of specialization is related to the expected duration of the partnership. As Bonke et al (2008) explain, the longer the expected period of specialization the lower the present value of costs of changing tasks when the relationship ends, and the greater the degree of specialization (p. 1033). As a consequence, the degree of specialization is a function of the expected duration of marriage with more enduring relationships inducing a higher degree of specialization Stratton (2005).…”

“…Members with the most "power" will tend to do less housework and engage more in labor market work (Bonke et al 2008). In this context, "power" is related to comparative advantages and better outside options (Hersch and Stratton 1994).…”

“…Accordingly, the least time constrained party will do the house work while the more time constraint partner will specialize in labor market work (Bonke et al 2008). Conditions in marriage markets like sex ratios determine female labor force participation, e.g.…”

“…According to Becker (1981) and discussed for instance by Bonke et al (2008) -specialization and the division of labor are the "fundamental principles of economics and allow for production at lowest possible costs''. These principles create an advantage of multi-person over singleperson households and can result in household specialization to the extent that one partner focuses mainly on labor market work while the other specializes completely in home production.…”

“…This approach is motivated by work by Stratton (2005) and Bonke et al (2008) who use a similar design to study differences in the degree of specialization in household tasks between married and cohabiting couples -and between couples in the U.S. and Denmark respectively.…”