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Family Life in Lockdown

Author

Listed:
  • Biroli, Pietro

    (University of Bologna)

  • Bosworth, Steven J.

    (University of Reading)

  • Della Giusta, Marina

    (University of Turin)

  • Di Girolamo, Amalia

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Jaworska, Sylvia

    (University of Reading)

  • Vollen, Jeremy

    (University of Zurich)

Abstract

We present findings from a novel survey of Italian, British, and American families in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic of spring 2020. A high percentage report disruptions in the patterns of family life, manifesting in new work patterns, chore allocations and household tensions. Though men have taken a greater share of childcare and grocery shopping duties, reallocations are not nearly as stark as disruptions to work patterns might suggest, and families having to reallocate duties report greater tensions. Our results paint a picture of tightened constraints budging up against stable and gendered patterns of intra-household cooperation. While the long-run consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown on family life cannot be assessed at this stage, we point towards the likely opportunities and challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Biroli, Pietro & Bosworth, Steven J. & Della Giusta, Marina & Di Girolamo, Amalia & Jaworska, Sylvia & Vollen, Jeremy, 2020. "Family Life in Lockdown," IZA Discussion Papers 13398, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13398
    as

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    Other versions of this item:

    • Pietro Biroli & Steven Bosworth & Marina Della Giusta & Amalia Di Girolamo & Sylvia Jaworska & Jeremy Vollen, 2020. "Family Life in Lockdown," Working Papers 2020-051, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    lockdown; care; housework; tensions; COVID-19;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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