Double burdens of work: the female work and health paradox

Abstract

This paper discusses problems faced by women coping with double workloads of family care and paid employment. Findings regarding childcare and domestic work burdens in a sample of the adult Danish population are presented. It was found that women still have major responsibility for child care and housework regardless of their employment status. Furthermore, statistically significant independent relationships were found between workloads in the family and symptoms of illness among women. The persistence of traditional gender roles was also suggested by the findings regarding network variables and male symptoms of illness. The health promotion implications of the findings are discussed.