Familiar co-responsibility: negotiation and exchange in the division of domestic labor

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a qualitative research study in the Principality of Asturias on current sharing of domestic tasks in Asturian families. Using focus groups, we show men and women’s attitudes, preferences, and beliefs about family shared responsibilities. We also analyze to what extent those attitudes are influenced by gender stereotypes. Although we do not present exhaustively all the findings of the research, we discuss specific conclusions about negotiation and exchange processes that dominate the sharing of domestic labor.