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Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gender dimension of its more visible socio-economic impacts has been the topic of study by several researchers. The current paper takes this further by focusing on the invisible chores done in the families at home. This paper studies how people's behavior towards housework changed during and after the confinement period in Spain. We analyze whether people did more housework during the lockdown period than before it, the way this housework was distributed between women and men, and whether this has changed since the end of lockdown. The empirical analyses point to a new trend in the housework gender gap: differences between men and women have narrowed since the lockdown, although women continue to bear most of the responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using three-annual-wave, dyadic data from different-gender, dual-earner couples in the United States (N = 904 couples), we delineated associations between work-family conflict and housework division for husbands and wives across COVID-19 and tested the moderating role of each spouse's traditional gender attitudes in these associations. We used the conservation of resource theory and family systems theory as guiding frameworks. Couples were from a nationally representative sample of married couples recruited using a two-stage cluster stratification strategy. Using a random-intercept, actor-partner interdependence, cross-lagged panel model, we found bidirectional, longitudinal associations among changes in work-family conflicts and perceived fairness of housework division across the transition caused by COVID-19. Specifically, increased work-family conflicts predicted the perception of increased unfairness in housework division and vice versa, and changes experienced by husbands were predictive for both spouses. We also found husbands' (not wives') more traditional gender attitudes exaggerated the associations between increased work-family conflicts and the perception of more unfairness. We advocate for efforts to facilitate work-family balance and to promote more egalitarian gender attitudes, which is especially crucial because the COVID-19 pandemic and other social changes have reshaped work and family lives and gender role attitudes around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Survival in these patients has increased because of early diagnosis and multimodality treatment methods. Return to premorbid functional status after treatment is essential for rehabilitation and good quality of life. Many patients suffer from late treatment-related symptoms which affect their return to premorbid status. Various health-related and work-related variables also affect the return to premorbid status. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 98 patients with breast carcinoma who received curative treatment were included 6-12 months post-radiotherapy completion. Patients were interviewed to assess their type of work and hours of work prior to diagnosis and at the time of the study. The extent to which they are able to return to their pre-diagnosis level of work was noted and various factors that were hindering them were documented. Treatment-related symptoms were assessed using selected questions from NCI PRO-CTCAE (version 1.0) questionnaire. Results: The median age of diagnosis of patients included in the study was 49-50 years. The most common symptoms experienced by patients were fatigue (55%), pain (34%) and oedema (27%). 57% of patients were employed before diagnosis, of which only 20% were able to return to their employment post-treatment. All patients were involved in household work prior to diagnosis and 93% were able to get back to their routine household work, with 20% of patients requiring frequent work breaks. About 40% of patients reported social stigma as a factor that hindered them from returning to work. Conclusion: Most patients return to household work post-treatment. Fatigue, pain and social stigma were the most common barriers to return to employment. Patient-reported outcomes and functional assessments can enable better survivorship care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined time allocation per day among household chores versus income generation activities that influence wealth statuses of rural women in Busega District, Tanzania. Cross-sectional research design was adopted to conduct the study. The methods applied for data collection include household survey, focus group discussions, non-participant observations and documentary reviews. Qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. Quantitative data were analysed through cross-tabulation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The results show that, the means of hours used by rural women in conducting each activity per day were lopsided on household chores. The average time shows that each rural woman used approximately 6 hours for conducting household chores and at least two hours for income generation activities per day. Furthermore, the wealth statuses were established by computing Principal Component Analysis as it was revealed that the majority 62.9% (132) of the rural women were poor having low incomes. The tercile classification took account for below TZS 200,000 indicating poor, TZS 200,001 to 600,000 for middle and TZS 600,001 and above for better-off as higher income. The study concludes that rural women's income growth has been hampered by the burden of household chores because they were limited to participate effectively in productive activities. The paper recommends that, the government through the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Special Groups experts should foster interventions that are grounded on increasing rural women's participation in income generation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We test two theories explaining domestic exploitation and violent abuse against women in couples. Exchange theory predicts both to increase when men outpower women; status inconsistency, when women do. As violence and exploitation can affect a couple's resources, making the model recursive, we focus on native status. Using data from a women's victimization survey (N = 8,000), we apply biprobit models to compare violent abuse and domestic exploitation in homogeneous and mixed couples in which one is a migrant. The results validate status inconsistency theory: native women with male migrant partners are less exploited but have the highest risks of being abused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religion, that plays an undeniable role in creating a mentality, has a significant key role in the construction of individuals' gender role attitudes. The present article investigates the effect of religion on the formation of gender attitudes, choosing one's spouse, perception of femaleness and masculinity, sharing of household chores, and parenting roles of women and spouses with higher education, working, religious, and with children of 0-6 years of age. The study aimed to show how religion affected 25 married couples with the above-mentioned qualities, their choice of spouse, the formation of gender role attitudes, and the sharing of household chores and childcare responsibilities. As a result of this research which was based on the data obtained with the in-depth interview technique, it was determined that the participants considered the gender through the window of justice, where they see the religion as an upper-value; and the religious background that was concretized in the example of Prophet Muhammad provided empowering arguments for female participants about sharing household chores and childcare responsibility. In addition, it was also determined that Prophet Muhammad's sharing household chores was interpreted as an advice rather than a religious order by the male participants who did not do household chores; and it also provided the men with high participation in household chores with a religious explanation basis that legitimized their participation in household chores against their traditional families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gerontological theory of activity developed by Havighurst proposes that the longer the elderly invest in productive activities, the greater their sense of well-being. Therefore, the present study's objective was to evaluate the difficulties for performing daily living instrumental activities of 2,599 older adults of the Hidalgo Mexican state. Results show that more than 90% of the sample did not report difficulties to manage money, although the percentage was lower for difficulties to cook and perform household chores, the percentage of men being higher than that of women. It can be concluded that participation in several activities favors both, women and men, maintaining an active lifestyle, with women more involved in home-care activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/objectives: Reproductive labour refers to activities and tasks directed at caregiving and domestic roles, such as cleaning, cooking, and childcare. Productive labour refers to activities that involve economic remuneration. The aim of the present study was to analyse physical activity, sedentary behaviour, physical fitness, and cognitive performance in women with fibromyalgia who engaged, or did not engage, in productive work. Method: This cross-sectional study comprised 276 women with fibromyalgia from Andalusia (southern of Spain). Levels of physical activity (light, moderate, and vigorous) and sedentary behaviour were measured by an accelerometer. Physical fitness and cognitive performance were measured with a battery of performance-based tests. Results: More hours/week of homemaker-related tasks were associated with higher time spend in light physical activity and lower sedentary behaviour (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, in comparison with those who only engaged in reproductive labour, women with fibromyalgia who engaged in productive work showed lower levels of sedentary behaviour and higher levels of light and moderate physical activity, physical fitness (except muscular strength), and cognitive performance (all, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Altogether, our findings suggest that productive work is consistently related to better physical and cognitive functioning in women with fibromyalgia. If future research corroborates causality of our findings, then, to maintain women with fibromyalgia engaging in productive work may be strived for not only because of societal or economic reasons but also for better health. However, we should keep in mind that people with fibromyalgia have a chronic condition, and therefore, adaptations at the workplace are imperative. Key Points • Women with fibromyalgia, who spend more time in reproductive labour, have higher levels of light physical activity and lower sedentary behaviour; however, it is associated with poorer general health (as lower physical fitness or cognitive performance). • Household tasks are often seen as a responsibility associated with the gender roles that women with fibromyalgia perform, despite the feelings of incapacity they cause. Policies focused on reducing reproductive labour demands for fibromyalgia patients (i.e. social help on housework or childcare) might facilitate the inclusion of daily active behaviours. • People with fibromyalgia who engage in productive work seem to have better health outcomes than those who have not; however, we cannot forget that adaptations and flexibility at the workplace are imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Household is an important physical activity resource in older adults' daily life. • Older adults' HPA and SWB had a positive association. • Engaging in HPA is a good approach for increasing old adults' self-rated health. • HPA is recommended for old couples to maintain marital satisfaction. • Older adults living in China and South Korea had higher HPA than others. Engaging in lifelong physical activity has multiple health benefits for older populations. Household physical activity occupies older adults' awake time, and they can be an important energy expenditure during the day. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between older adults' household physical activity and subjective well-being in four East Asian societies. The study design was a secondary data analysis. Data were retrieved from the module of Families 2016 in the database of the East Asian Social Survey. Participants were community-dwelling older adults with a mean age of 70.30±7.50 years and who lived in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Data were collected by interviews via structured questionnaires between 2016 and 2018. Descriptive analyses, independent t -tests, and an analysis of covariance were performed for the statistical analyses. In total, there were 3,432 valid responses. Participants who lived in Taiwan had significantly lower levels of total household physical activity than those living in other societies. Older adults' household physical activity was found to significantly differ by age, educational degree, gender, religion, marital status, occupation, and whether living alone. Older adults with high levels of household physical activity had significantly higher self-rated health and marital satisfaction than those with low levels. Household physical activity has potential benefits for subjective well-being across international older adult populations. Increasing household physical activity is recommended for older married couples to maintain marital satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine household chores and leisure-time activities most affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the perceived impact on performing these activities. Also, our aim was to estimate the required and received assistance for household chores. In an interview study via telephone, 124 patients with moderate-to-severe RA, visiting a tertiary-level dermatological clinic, listed spontaneously without predefined list the household chores and leisure-time activities that they considered were particularly affected by the RA. Ability to perform household chores and leisure-time activities were asked. The need for outside assistance with household chores and help received were also determined. Rheumatoid arthritis affected wide range of everyday household activities, with tasks related to cleaning of the house mentioned most often. Eleven of the categories out of 16 were similar to those included in the HAQ index. The majority of the patients (84.6 %) reported disadvantage in performing household chores because of RA. More than half of the patients (55.7 %) received assistance with household chores, women significantly more often than men (69.0 vs. 26.3 %, p < 0.01). Most of the household chores mentioned were physically demanding. Leisure-time activities listed by respondents as affected by RA were mostly related to sport. The majority of patients (77.2 %) had either reduced or completely given up at least one leisure-time activity. When estimating the total burden of the disease, the impact on both household chores and leisure-time activities should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender discrimination can be uprooted through empowerment of women and social awareness. By providing women the opportunity to take active part in socio, economic political and familial decisions this discrimination can be reduced. Women of our country have faced discrimination at all ages, now and hence forth this discrimination continues to exist in various forms. Any denial of equality, gender and opportunity on the bias of gender, is gender discrimination. Nature doesn't discriminate men from women. But women worldwide have been the victim's of inequality not only in terms of social and political rights but also on grounds of employment and opportunities. In the male dominant society women have become habituated of this discrimination. As a result, most women fail to understand their own rights and freedom.. Gender discrimination happens because people think that men are better than women. It seems obvious that women would want to change the system, but men are less likely to want to give up their positions of power However, when men take part in resisting gender discrimination-by treating women with respect. Data were collected from Chaudhriwas, Kalwas, Dahima, and Bhojraj villages of Hisar-1 and Hisar-11 blocks covered under Hisar district of Haryana State by selecting 200 Parents. This paper shows that role and responsibility among gender and decision making by parents for future prospectus to their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the integration of women into public spaces has rapidly grown, after a long history in which, for various reasons, they were excluded. However, even though there are great benefits and achievements due to this entry into professional life, the state, the business world and society in general must endeavor to achieve a healthy balance between work and family life for both, men and women, in order to strengthen the private sphere. Four aspects of this complex topic are reviewed in this article: 1) a brief review of the concept of work throughout history, 2) a quick tour through the history of women in society from the Enlightenment to our days; 3) an analysis of women's contribution to the public sphere and 4) an expose on the current status of women in Mexico as well as an analysis which will show their relegation in the private sphere which is vital to the upbringing of every human being. Finally, a few propositions on the division and sharing of household chores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of activities of contemporary subsistence agricultural communities may provide insights into the lifestyle of youth of 2 to 3 generations ago. The purpose of this study was to document age- and sex-associated variation in household activities and daily steps walking to school of youth 9-17 years in an indigenous subsistence agricultural community in Oaxaca, southern Mexico. Activities during leisure were also considered. A cross-sectional survey of a rural Zapotec-speaking community was undertaken, and respondents included 118 boys and 152 girls, aged 8.7-17.9 years. Household and leisure activities were documented by questionnaire and subsequent interview. Household activities were classified by estimated intensity for before and after school and on the weekend, and an estimate of METS per day accumulated while doing chores was derived. Number of steps from home to school was estimated. Contingency table analysis and MANCOVA controlling for age was used to evaluate results. Household activities tended to cluster at light and moderate intensities in girls and at moderate to moderate-to-vigorous intensities in boys. Estimated METS per day in ~2 h of chores differed significantly by sex. Secondary school girls expended significantly more METS per day in chores than primary school girls, but there was no difference by school level in boys. The daily round trip from home to school was ~2400 steps for primary students and ~2700 and ~3100 steps for secondary boys and girls, respectively. Television viewing and participation in sports were major leisure activities for boys and girls. Daily household chores, walking, and leisure activities suggest moderately active and moderately-to-vigorously active lifestyles in girls and boys, respectively, in this indigenous subsistence agricultural community. L’observation des activités des communautés agricoles contemporaines travaillant à des fins de subsistance peut nous donner une image du mode de vie des jeunes d’il y a deux ou trois générations. Le but de cette étude est de recueillir des données relatives aux tâches domestiques accomplies et au nombre de pas comptés pour aller et revenir de l’école chez des jeunes des deux sexes âgés de 9 à 17 ans et vivant à Oaxaca, une communauté localisée au sud du Mexique. On prend également note des activités de loisir. Il s’agit d’une étude transversale comprenant 152 filles et 118 garçons âgés de 8,7 à 17,9 ans d’une communauté rurale parlant le zapotec. On se renseigne sur les activités de loisir et les tâches domestiques au moyen d’un questionnaire et d’une entrevue subséquente. On estime l’intensité des activités domestiques réalisées avant et après les heures de classe et durant les fins de semaine, puis on évalue en METS par jour la dépense d’énergie consacrée aux tâches domestiques. On estime le nombre de pas séparant l’école du domicile. On contrôle le facteur âge par l’analyse des tableaux de contingence et par l’analyse multivariée de la covariance. L’intensité des activités domestiques chez les filles se situe globalement à deux niveaux, légère et modérée; chez les garçons, cette intensité se situe à deux autres niveaux, modérée et de modérée à intense. La dépense énergétique quotidienne estimée en METS à la réalisation des tâches domestiques d’une durée d’environ 2 h par jour varie significativement d’un sexe à l’autre. Les filles du niveau secondaire dépensent plus d’énergie à réaliser les tâches domestiques que les filles du niveau primaire, mais les garçons du secondaire n’en dépensent pas plus que ceux du primaire. Pour aller et revenir de l’école, les élèves du primaire font à peu près 2400 pas, mais les garçons du secondaire en font environ 2700 et les filles de ce niveau, environ 3100. Regarder la télévision et faire du sport constituent les principales activités de loisir des jeunes filles et garçons. Dans cette communauté autochtone agricole travaillant la terre à des fins de subsistance, l’intensité des tâches domestiques journalières, des activités de marche et de loisir révèle un mode de vie modéré chez les filles et de modéré à intense chez les garçons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing from a stress and coping framework and previous research regarding stepfamilies, the researchers develop and test a theoretical model predicting stepmother stress and marital satisfaction. Factors in the model include residency of the stepmother's stepchildren, whether the stepmother has biological children, social support resources, role clarity, and responsibility for household chores and stepchild care. The results indicate that the data fit the model well. By examining all of these variables in a model several advantages are achieved, including integrating and extending prior research findings on stepfamilies, comparing the relative strengths of these variables in their relationship with stress and satisfaction, and illustrating factors that can be targeted to encourage the viability of the various types of stepmother-father couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 health crisis brought with it an increase in the workload on family members due to the restriction of services and the suspension of formal and informal care networks. Numerous studies have analyzed how home confinement have affected different gender gaps, including the gender gap related to chores within the home. This research aims to contribute to the existing literature from the perspective of gender geography by introducing the variable municipality size in the analyses. Our research in the case of Spain shows the COVID-19 health crisis to have had a significant impact on gender gaps, albeit to varying degrees. Women, especially those living in small municipalities, experienced a widening of the gap related to care and domestic workload during confinement. The study of the distribution of the more burdensome chores between genders shows an even more imbalanced scenario to the detriment of women. However, following the end of confinement, the situation improved. Although the imbalance against women remains, the gap with respect to the pre-pandemic situation has been reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]