Gender Inequality and Unpaid Housework: A Natural Experiment from COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, with its subsequent lockdowns and safety measures, has compelled a higher number of individuals to stay at home. This has led to an increased demand for domestic chores and caregiving responsibilities, thus altering the traditional balance between paid and unpaid work. This research seeks to examine the effect that the COVID-19 situation has had on gender inequality through the lens of unpaid housework. This global response to the pandemic essentially serves as a natural experiment, as it has removed external socio-economic factors and provided both men and women with an equal opportunity to engage in unpaid domestic work. In Thailand, prior to the pandemic, there existed a notable disparity with more men engaged in onsite work, while women were primarily responsible for unpaid housework. However, the introduction of social distancing measures and 'Work from Home' policies has led to both genders spent their time at home more equally. The study also seeks to assess whether existing inequalities are rooted in economic structures or are primarily influenced by societal attitudes. It's noteworthy that entrenched social attitudes remain influential in Thailand, potentially leading to women bearing a disproportionate burden of unpaid housework, even when both genders spend more equal time at home. The study's target sample comprises individuals who are still engaged in remote work or have a spouse in the same situation, ensuring comparable time spent at home. Data will be collected through a Time Use survey and analyzed using both individual and paired testing methodologies.