This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Goldberg, A. E. Articles by Perry-Jenkins, M. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

The division of labor and perceptions of parental roles: Lesbian couples across the transition to parenthood

Clark University, AGoldberg{at}clarku.edu

Maureen Perry-Jenkins

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

No research has examined the division of labor across the transition to parenthood for same-sex couples. The current study examined the division of labor in 29 lesbian couples (58 women) during the transition to parenthood. Women were interviewed during their last trimester and 3—4 months post-natally. Two theoretical approaches — gender theory and economic theory — were used to generate competing hypotheses about the findings. Results revealed that couples divided housework quite equally; however, biological mothers tended to contribute more to child care. Despite this, the majority of couples did not perceive the biological mother as the more `primary' parent. Results highlight both the utility and limitations of current theories for explaining the division of labor in lesbian couples.

Key Words: child care • division of labor • gender • lesbian • transition to parenthood

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 24, No. 2, 297-318 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407507075415


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?