Videographic: Have the parenting roles of men and women changed?
Child-rearing. The changing roles of mothers and fathers. Bores, chores and bedtime stories. How parenting has changed in half a century. In the 1960s, women spent around ten hours a week on childcare. They spend three times that on housework. And less than ten hours a week on paid work. And then the world changed. Paid work more than doubled as women resisted traditional roles. The amount of housework almost halved in that time. Childcare dipped slightly but then increased. Fathering too is different in interesting ways. In 1960s they spend on average 40 hours a week doing paid work. And they barely did any housework or childcare at all -- fewer than ten hours combined. But over time, they started spending less time at work. And as if by magical forces, they doubled their chores And fathers almost tripled the time spent with kids. So which parent got the better deal? Men work less and women work more. Both sides are probably happy with that. Fathers have finally lifted a broom -- but still do half as much housework as mums. It’s a tie. And both sides do more child-rearing. So it’s been a net gain for both of them -- and for the kids! For more video content from The Economist visit our website: econ.st/1qIQwsZ
