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Religion and Division of Labour within Households in India

Author

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  • Deboshmita Brahma

    (University of Calcutta)

Abstract

The study explores the relationship between religion and the division of labour between men and women within households in India. It uses Time Use Survey data (2019) for empirical analysis. There is a considerable variation in the division of labour based on the religious identity of households. Further, we find that the religiosity of the household, captured as the total time spent in religious activity, influences the burden of unpaid work of females relative to males significantly. It also increases their non-work time relative to men. We conclude that households spending more time in religious activities have women bearing less burden of household work and more time for pursuing non-work activities, though paid work time is not affected significantly. We do find women from varying religious backgrounds facing differences in the burden of work relative to males. Christianity and Buddhism have more equality in the division of unpaid work between men and women members of the household, compared to other religions. We find as households become more religious, the burden of unpaid work on women members falls compared to men, while their non-work time falls. Therefore, these women are better off than less religious households. We find attachment to religious faith produces different results for persons from different religious backgrounds. While the total work burden remains unchanged, non-work time fell considerably for women from most religions. This shows that the religious identity of the household is an important factor influencing the work burden of women relative to men within households.

Suggested Citation

  • Deboshmita Brahma, 2024. "Religion and Division of Labour within Households in India," Journal of Economics, Race, and Policy, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 233-243, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joerap:v:7:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s41996-024-00138-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s41996-024-00138-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Indira Hirway, 2010. "Understanding Poverty: Insights Emerging from Time Use of the Poor," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Rania Antonopoulos & Indira Hirway (ed.), Unpaid Work and the Economy, chapter 2, pages 22-57, Palgrave Macmillan.
    2. Gershuny, Jonathan, 2003. "Changing Times: Work and Leisure in Postindustrial Society," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199261895, Decembrie.
    3. Rania Antonopoulos & Indira Hirway, 2010. "Unpaid Work and the Economy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Rania Antonopoulos & Indira Hirway (ed.), Unpaid Work and the Economy, chapter 1, pages 1-21, Palgrave Macmillan.
    4. Mark L Bryan & Almudena Sevilla-Sanz, 2011. "Does housework lower wages? Evidence for Britain," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 63(1), pages 187-210, January.
    5. Emel Memis & Rania Antonopoulos, 2010. "Unpaid Work, Poverty and Unemployment: A Gender Perspective from South Africa," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Rania Antonopoulos & Indira Hirway (ed.), Unpaid Work and the Economy, chapter 4, pages 76-111, Palgrave Macmillan.
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