‘New’ Men and ‘New’ Women: Cultural Identity Work of Husbands and Wives Related to Housework and Childcare

Existing research indicates that the number of dual-career couples is increasing and that, by implication, domestic responsibility should be equally shared between husbands and wives. However, in many societies, women’s paid employment has not resulted in men assuming responsibility for domestic duties and childcare. This article examines the extent to which husbands and wives engage in cultural identity work related to household chores and childcare. A qualitative interpretivist approach was followed and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 Indian couples occupying different positions across various management levels in diverse South African organisations. The results of the study indicate that these husbands and wives, who come from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, engage differently in cultural identity work. Additionally, today’s younger wives are more assertive and expect their husbands to be involved to a greater extent in the home and with childcare, resulting in husbands engaging in more identity work. The Indian society in South Africa is undergoing tremendous changes regarding adherence to culture, resulting in varying levels of cultural identity work taking place within dual-earner relationships.