Time co-ordination, the domestic division of labour and affective relations: Time use and the enjoyment of activities within couples

Oriel Sullivan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper the time-use of diaries of a sample of couples are used to explore the relationship between partners' daily pattern of activities and their enjoyment of those activities. By analysing the diaries of couples together it is possible to assess which activities are undertaken simultaneously, which separately, and whether time spent in different activities is more enjoyable spent separately or together. So, in addition to the usual information obtainable from time diary analysis on the domestic division of labour, these data provide information on the quality of time, and the ways in which couples may manipulate it in order to increase the proportion of enjoyable time (which, it is shown, is more enjoyable when enjoyed together). The wider significance of this approach is that an empirical link is provided between 'work-related' debates on the domestic division of labour, and those on the nature of affective relationships between couples found within the sociology of emotions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-100
Number of pages22
JournalSociology
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Domestic division of labour
  • Quality of life
  • Time-budget analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Sociology and Political Science

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