“It’s a bit of a paradox, as she considers herself a feminist”: Tensions of doing household-related occupations as a young cis-heterosexual couple in France

ABSTRACT

Despite a rise of feminist values, the organisation of household-related occupations remains unequal. This research aimed to problematise the tensions existing in the organisation of household-related occupations of cis-heterosexual couples who self-identify as feminist. Narrative data were collected through individual and joint interviews with two couples. Individuals’ and couples’ storylines were studied through a narrative analysis. Subtle reproductions of traditional gendered roles were revealed, despite each couple’s strategies to reach equality. Their organisation was not explicitly negotiated as a couple but embedded in daily life. Couples’ task allocation rationales were related to the context within which they live and work, and occupational preferences rooted in unconscious gender stereotypes. Feminist values were paradoxically acting as a constraint for the women interviewed, adding perceived norms to conform to. The study responds to calls for occupational science to move beyond individualistic approaches to occupation and embraces a critical stance towards the complexity of ‘doing feminism’ in everyday life, thus revealing many layers of intersecting tensions.

KEYWORDS:

• Occupational science
• household-related occupations
• cis-heterosexual couples
• occupational justice
• feminism
• narrative methodology

Acknowledgements

This research was carried out by the first author in partial fulfilment of the requirements of obtaining the degree of the European Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. She received a grant from the Elizabeth Casson Trust to finance the fees for the last module and acknowledges their contribution to the work stemming from that award. The second and third authors supervised this study.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.