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National Context, Family Satisfaction, and Fairness in the Division of Household Labor
Author(s) -
Greenstein Theodore N.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of marriage and family
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.578
H-Index - 159
eISSN - 1741-3737
pISSN - 0022-2445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2009.00651.x
Subject(s) - operationalization , referent , relative deprivation , multilevel model , equity (law) , division of labour , context (archaeology) , equity theory , inequality , perception , demographic economics , psychology , social psychology , economics , economic justice , political science , microeconomics , geography , mathematical analysis , philosophy , linguistics , mathematics , archaeology , epistemology , machine learning , neuroscience , computer science , law , market economy
This study uses data from married women in 30 nations to examine justice processes involving perceptions of fairness of the division of household labor and satisfaction with family life. Relative deprivation theory suggests that national context—operationalized here as nation‐level gender equity—might serve as a comparative referent used by married women when making determinations of the fairness of the division of household labor. Multilevel analyses confirm that the effect of inequalities in the division of household labor on perceptions of fairness is moderated by national context, as is the effect of perceptions of fairness on satisfaction with family life. The effects are strongest in nations with high levels of gender equity, confirming two hypotheses suggested by relative deprivation theory.