Study on Women, Housework, and the Cost of Invisible Labour

Abstract

This paper explores the invisible labor of housework, primarily performed by women, and
its profound impact on gender inequality and economic development, particularly in India. The
research investigates the socio-cultural dynamics of unpaid household work, highlighting its
physical, mental, and emotional effects on women. Despite its significant contribution to society,
housework is not recognized as remunerative labor, a notion rooted in patriarchal gender roles. In
India, women spend significantly more time on household chores than men, yet this labor remains
unaccounted for in the nation's economic statistics. Through a survey conducted across India, the
study gauges public perception of household work, its long-term effects, and the potential for
recognizing it as full-time employment. The findings reveal a stark gender disparity, with the
majority of respondents acknowledging that women spend more time on housework than men.
Many people support the idea of paying for housework in order to elevate the status of
homemakers. The study concludes with recommendations to formalize compensation for
housework, suggesting a modest salary to recognize its economic value and promote gender
equality.