Gender Difference in the Allocation of Time

Abstract

This paper examines the allocation of non-market hours (i.e. hours not spent in paid employment or work) for food preparation and the effect of socio-demographic characteristics, the value of time, and nutrition preferences on time-use decisions regarding food choice. A time-allocation model is developed and tested using the American Time Use Survey. Working hours and family income are negatively related to time spent preparing food cooked at home, yet education and leisure time are positively related. Gender differences in food choice are not only influenced by the value of time and nutrition-consciousness but also by gender roles: educated women devote less time to food preparation and educated men spend more.

Keywords:

• food preparation
• gender differences
• nutrition preference
• time allocation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sanae Tashiro

Sanae Tashiro is Assistant Professor of Economics at Rhode Island College and a visiting research scholar at the Claremont Institute for Economic Policy Studies. Professor Tashiro's research interests include wage determination and income inequality, labor supply and fertility. Her work has been published in the American Journal of Economics and Sociology, the Review of Black Political Economy, China Agricultural Economic Review and the International Journal of Economic Issues. Department of Economics and Finance, School of Management, Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI 02908, USA ([email protected])

Chu-Ping Lo

Chu-Ping Lo is Assistant Professor of Economics at National Taiwan University. Professor Lo's research interests include international trade and international outsourcing. His work has been published in Japan and World Economy, China Economic Review and China Agricultural Economic Review. No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 Taiwan ([email protected]).