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The Digital Second Shift: Gender Gap in Parenting App Usage in China

Author

Listed:
  • Cai, Huan

    (College of Business, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China)

  • Dong, Lu

    (College of Business, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China)

  • Xie, Jian

    (College of Business, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China)

Abstract

This paper examines gender disparities in parenting in the digital domain, using a novel dataset that records the gender composition of users across more than 6,000 app-level observations in China. Two patterns stand out. First, parenting apps are strongly feminized: women account for nearly two-thirds of users, compared to fewer than half for the typical non-parenting app. Second, the female share is highest in cities where women enjoy greater income and educational attainment, and lowest in areas marked by more entrenched gender inequality. The women most engaged in digital caregiving are therefore those best positioned to transcend traditional roles. Mechanism analysis suggests that this is not driven by broader digital fluency among affluent women, but rather reflects their intentional choice for intensive parenting practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Cai, Huan & Dong, Lu & Xie, Jian, 2025. "The Digital Second Shift: Gender Gap in Parenting App Usage in China," CAGE Online Working Paper Series 765, Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cge:wacage:765
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    File URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/research/centres/cage/manage/publications/wp765.2025.pdf
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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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