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Division of labor in child care: A game-theoretic approach

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  • Angela Vierling-Claassen

Abstract

This paper uses a game of repeated play to model parental child care in order to examine the gap between the expectations of egalitarian-minded couples before the transition to parenthood and the reality of parenthood, with its gendered roles. This is done first in a gender-free context in order to examine the mechanism by which the division of labor is established in a family – it is this same process through which gendered expectations have an impact. The analysis shows that it is difficult to achieve the equilibrium of equal sharing of child care, even when this is the preference of the parents. This leads to a discussion of alterations and meta-strategies for couples who want to share care equally. Gender differences between parents are also modeled, including the impact these have on outcomes and equilibria.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela Vierling-Claassen, 2013. "Division of labor in child care: A game-theoretic approach," Rationality and Society, , vol. 25(2), pages 198-228, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:25:y:2013:i:2:p:198-228
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463112473795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benoît Rapoport & Céline Bourdais, 2008. "Parental time and working schedules," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 21(4), pages 903-932, October.
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    5. Yoosik Youm & Edward O. Laumann, 2003. "The Effect of Structural Embeddedness on the Division of Household Labor: A Game-Theoretic Model Using a Network Approach," Rationality and Society, , vol. 15(2), pages 243-280, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Juliane Hennecke & Astrid Pape, 2022. "Suddenly a stay-at-home dad? Short- and long-term consequences of fathers’ job loss on time investment in the household," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 579-607, June.
    2. António Osório, 2019. "Gender differences in competition: gender equality and cost reduction policies," Review of Economic Design, Springer;Society for Economic Design, vol. 23(1), pages 27-52, June.
    3. Yoosik Youm & Byungkyu Lee, 2016. "A network approach to economic models of fertility," Rationality and Society, , vol. 28(4), pages 386-409, November.
    4. Osorio, António (António Miguel), 2019. "Gender differences in competition: gender equality and cost reduction policies," Working Papers 2072/351587, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Economics.

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