Women, Men, and Time

With the rise of the women's movement during the last fifteen years, gender differences in the use of time have received increased attention. Shelton describes changes in women's and men's use of time and analyzes the factors associated with these patterns. Based on national survey data, this study focuses on gender differences in time given to household labor, paid labor, and leisure, and assesses the impact of personal characteristics and structural determinants on time use. While popular opinion holds that the roles of men and women have converged, Shelton concludes that important differences remain in their use of time.

The author begins by overviewing the available research on gender differences and time use. She then outlines her research methodology and analyzes the roles of women and men in the labor force. Shelton next examines changing trends in household labor and gender differences in leisure activities. The concluding chapter interprets her empirical findings and suggests the extent to which time use patterns can be placed within a larger context. Anyone interested in the sociology of gender will find this study enlightening.