A distinguished Nobel laureate in economics claims that men’s participation in household chores significantly influences fertility rates, using South Korea as a poignant example. Heather Long from the Washington Post highlighted Professor Claudia Goldin’s thesis, “Baby and Macroeconomy,” which posits a historical disconnect between women’s increasing labour market presence since World War II and men’s evolving domestic roles, contributing to declining global birth rates.
Professor Goldin’s research reveals a telling correlation: regions where men engage more in housework enjoy higher fertility rates, while those where men contribute less witness a drop in childbirth. This disparity categorises nations into two groups: those like Korea, Greece, and Italy, and others, including the US and Sweden, where the fertility rate has plummeted to around 1.3% due to uneven domestic labour distribution.
In South Korea, the fervour of rapid economic development has escalated household income and women’s labour force participation. Yet, ingrained societal norms persist, where men still cling to traditional views, believing women should manage the home. This ideological clash has driven Korea’s fertility rate to the alarming figure of 0.72 in 2023, with women undertaking approximately three hours more housework daily than men.
Japan and Italy mirror this phenomenon, as their women also endure over three hours more domestic work than their male counterparts. Conversely, countries like Sweden, exhibiting healthier birth rates, reflect a mere hour’s difference in household responsibilities between genders. Goldin asserts, “When we achieve rapid economic growth, we don’t give many generations enough time to get used to reality. Pushing them to reality.”
Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin asserts that men’s involvement in household chores is key to fertility rates, using South Korea as a prime example. Goldin’s findings reveal higher birth rates in regions where men participate more in domestic tasks. South Korea’s alarming fertility rate of 0.72 is attributed to women performing significantly more housework compared to men, reflecting a broader trend in gender roles impacting demographic changes globally.
Professor Goldin’s analysis highlights a crucial link between domestic responsibilities and fertility rates across various nations, elucidating how societal norms regarding gender roles can profoundly affect demographic trends. As South Korea grapples with declining birth rates, the disparity in housework engagement remains a critical factor. This nuanced understanding urges a re-examination of gender expectations in modern economies to foster family growth and stability.
Original Source: www.mk.co.kr
