Over 90% of women deprioritize personal time to balance work and family

LIXIL conducted a survey of married couples with children who both work, and the results show that women bear a greater burden of housework and childcare than men. In order to balance work and family responsibilities, women often lower the priority of their own time. Among women, those in their 20s and 30s are more likely than those in their 40s and 50s to use convenient home appliances to reduce cleaning frequency and to receive help from others.

The survey, which involved 400 married couples from across the country, was conducted online in February. 70% of working women were dissatisfied with their partners’ contributions to housework and childcare, compared to only 53% of men. However, when asked about specific household tasks, women reported that they were responsible for almost all of them. 68% of women were also dissatisfied with their partner’s contributions to housework and childcare.

While 26% of men said they had not lowered the priority of their own time in order to balance work and family, 93% of women reported doing so by sacrificing personal time, socializing with friends, and sleep. This indicates that women face a greater burden in balancing work and family responsibilities.

The survey found that 80% of women in their 20s and 30s are making efforts to manage both work and household chores, primarily by reducing cleaning frequency, using convenient household appliances, and seeking help from others. In contrast, about half of women in their 40s and 50s are not making significant efforts to manage household chores.

While 53% of men believed they were doing enough housework and childcare, their actual contributions were limited to tasks like taking out the garbage. This suggests that women have a higher level of involvement in all aspects of housework and childcare than men, despite half of men believing they are doing enough.

Furthermore, comparing men who work from home to those who do not, the survey found a significant difference in tasks such as shopping, pick-up, and putting children to sleep. This is due to the elimination of commuting time, which has led to an increase in time spent on housework and childcare.

The survey highlights the greater burden of housework and childcare borne by women in dual-income households, and the difference in perception between men and women regarding their contributions to household tasks and childcare. It is important to strive for gender equality and avoid unconscious biases that perpetuate gender roles. Women in their 20s and 30s are making efforts to reduce the burden of housework, and everyone should work together to make life easier.

For more on gender equality in Japan