The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
Sat, March 6, 2021 | 18:08
Women Want Fair Division on Chores
Posted : 2009-12-21 20:58
Updated : 2009-12-21 20:58
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down


By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

For 28-year-old large corporate worker Lee Ji-hye, marriage is definitely an option because she doesn't want to "juggle between household chores and her professional life."

"Returning home exhausted, and then having to clean up, cook and take care of the children _ that's a lot of work!" she said. "I don't really think a husband will be much of a help there."

Some men may disagree, but according to a recent report on a nationwide survey, Korean men are actually reluctant to contribute to household chores, regardless of what they do.

The Population Association of Korea on Monday released a report by Prof. Eun Ki-su of Seoul National University on role-sharing between couples at home. He studied the National Statistical Office's (NSO) survey on 12,394 married couples nationwide and found that women were more inclined to spend time doing household chores than their partners.

In the case of couples with a single income ― whether the husband or wife is the bread winner ― men spent 7.9 hours doing house chores, while women spent 8.9 to 10 hours. The professor estimated that husbands spend an average of 0.6 to 1.1 hours daily helping out at home while women spend 3.1 to 4.8 hours.

Even jobless men were found to be spending much less time doing household chores. They spent 1.6 to 3.2 hours, while their spouses spent 3.1 to 4.8 hours.

"It seems that women are dealing with lots of work inside the house regardless of their own jobs or their husbands' occupation. With added responsibilities of childcare, the amount of domestic chores for the woman is quite large," Eun said.

He noted that even though husbands help with childcare, the larger amount of chores tend to fall on the shoulders of women.

Studies have indicated that such inequality triggers Korean women's reluctance to tie the knot.

In a separate research project by the Korean Women's Development Institute (KWDI), 71.3 percent of males said chores are for women.

This led to only 11.5 percent of women hoping to get married, the KWDI said, while 46.7 percent did not want to.

"It seems that an equal status in housework and responsibilities is an important factor in convincing young single women to get married," Jeon Ki-taek, the institute researcher, said.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr









 
 
  • 279 caught for spreading disinformation on COVID-19 vaccines
  • Seoul encourages foreign residents to take COVID-19 tests
  • Medical experts warn against excessive fears of the COVID-19 vaccine
  • Animal rights activists dump coconuts in front of Thai embassy, criticizing forced monkey labor
  • Fire engulfs old Buddhist temple in southwestern region
  • Reporting on Korean digital sex crimes: Western comparison
  • Sarkozy conviction
  • South Korea approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine
  • [INTERVIEW] Author of 'comfort women' series urges world to hear their testimonies
  • US International Trade Commission reaffirms ruling in favor of LG over SK in battery feud
  • Stars accused of school bullying paying price Stars accused of school bullying paying price
  • Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects Snowballing bullying scandal deals blow to TV series projects
  • K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination K-pop fans hung out to dry over Kakao-Spotify music licensing termination
  • Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action Global K-pop fans unite forces at Kpop4Planet for climate action
  • Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use Rapper Killagramz apologizes over marijuana use
DARKROOM
  • Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

    Bloody Sunday in Myanmar

  • Earth is suffering

    Earth is suffering

  • NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

    NASA's Perseverance rover is landing on Mars

  • Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

    Fun in the snow, sledding for everyone

  • Our children deserve better: Part 3

    Our children deserve better: Part 3

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright