East Asian Men's Gender Role Attitudes and Perceived Fairness in Housework Division.

Objective: This study examines the similarities and differences in gender role attitudes and perceived fairness in the division of housework among men in East Asia. Background: Previous research on gender relations and gender role attitudes has focused primarily on Western societies, while overlooking the similarities and differences among East Asian societies. Method: This study used male subsample from the data of 2012 International Social Survey Programme for mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea (N=2,395). By using multivariate regression analyses, this study investigated the inconsistencies in male's gender role attitudes towards working women, perceived fairness in the division of housework and actual share of housework. It also examined how educational attainment, family background and spouse's employment status are related to these inconsistencies. Results: Japanese and Taiwanese men showed more egalitarian attitudes than their counterparts in mainland China and South Korea. However, Japanese men showed the least actual share of housework. Chinese men did more housework than men in other three societies. Korean men held most traditional gender role attitudes and were least likely to feel that they did less housework than their fair share, regardless of the actual housework division. Conclusion: The differences between East Asian male's gender role attitudes and their perceived fairness in the division of housework depend upon the distinctive trajectories of socioeconomic shifts and cultural evolvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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