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Food and family care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study of women’s domestic workload during the first wave in Chile

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  • Nathalie Llanos
  • Lorena Iglesias
  • Patricia Gálvez Espinoza
  • Carla Cuevas
  • Dérgica Sanhueza

Abstract

This study aimed to explore women’s perceptions of domestic work related to food and family care during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile and its association with sociodemographic and health variables. We conducted a cross-sectional, analytical, non-probabilistic study. A sample of 2047 women answered an online self-report survey that included a Likert scale about the perception of domestic work associated with food. The survey also included an open comment section. The survey was available between May and June 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and when most of the country had some degree of mobility restriction. 70.2% of participants perceived their domestic work as "regular"; being younger, having a higher educational level, caring for children or the elderly, and having worse self-perception of mental and general health status increased the chances of having a lower perception of the burden of these tasks. In comments, women declared how heavy the domestic work was, the challenges of being together with their families and of paid job requirements, and how family demands from them increased. Most women felt that their domestic work was heavier during this pandemic period: some groups of women could be at risk of being more affected by this extra workload at home. The importance of interventions and public policies with a gender perspective becomes relevant, considering the role of women in the home and the necessity to generate a social change regarding the domestic burden associated with gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathalie Llanos & Lorena Iglesias & Patricia Gálvez Espinoza & Carla Cuevas & Dérgica Sanhueza, 2024. "Food and family care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study of women’s domestic workload during the first wave in Chile," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(5), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0301038
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301038
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hipp, Lena & Bünning, Mareike, 2021. "Parenthood as a driver of increased gender inequality during COVID-19? Exploratory evidence from Germany," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 23(S1), pages 658-673.
    2. Gundula Zoch & Ann‐Christin Bächmann & Basha Vicari, 2022. "Reduced well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic – The role of working conditions," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 1969-1990, November.
    3. Etheridge, Ben & Spantig, Lisa, 2022. "The gender gap in mental well-being at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic: Evidence from the UK," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    4. Connor, Jade & Madhavan, Sarina & Mokashi, Mugdha & Amanuel, Hanna & Johnson, Natasha R. & Pace, Lydia E. & Bartz, Deborah, 2020. "Health risks and outcomes that disproportionately affect women during the Covid-19 pandemic: A review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
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