The effect of dual-earner couples´ generalization on family time in Spain

Marc Ajenjo, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Joan Garcia Roman, Centre d’Estudis Demogràfics (CED)

The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of dual-earner couples' increase in family time using data from the Spanish Time Use Survey 2009-2010. Based on one of the questions from the Time Use Dairy, which asks 'with whom' the activity is done, we estimated the mean time devoted to 4 different kinds of family time for every couple: conjugal time (time when spouses are together without children), parents-child time (time when spouses are together and with children) and father/mother time (time when the father/mother is alone with children). The mean time spent in each of 7 different activities of daily life and the total amount spent in all of them were calculated for each type of family time. Results are presented in a descriptive way by comparing the mean for each family time spent in every daily life activity. Moreover, differences according to some couples´ characteristics are analyzed. The main attribute to be studied is the employment status of the couple members, but other variables like the type of union (cohabitation or marriage), household´s income, age or educational attainment are used in the comparison. A measure of the synchronization of both couple members work schedule is calculated when both members are employed. This measure is the quotient between the time when only one member of the couple is at work and the time when at least one member is at work. General Linear models are calculated to test the net effect of each variable in the different types of familiar times. Preliminary results show that in dual earner-couples familiar time is lower. Another evidence from the descriptive results is that mother-time is higher than father-time, a clear evidence of inequality within the couple. More desynchronization supposes less time spent with the couple, but more father-time and mother-time.