The second shift and the nonstandard shift: nonstandard work hours and the relationship between divisions of household labor and perceptions of fairness of household labor divisions

Studies consistently show that women do more housework than men, but most women do not view this arrangement as unfair. In recent years, however, the U.S. has moved from a manufacturing to a service economy that demands new types of work schedules. Prior research shows that nonstandard work schedules affect the division of household labor but does not indicate whether these schedules change the relationship between the division of household labor and fairness perceptions concerning this division. This thesis addresses this issue and finds that women who work nonstandard hours (or have husbands who work nonstandard hours) are less likely to perceive themselves to be under-benefited in the division of household labor than women who work standard hours (or have husbands who work standard hours). This interaction disappears, however, when controlling for husbands time in routine chores. Substantive and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.