Hours of work and gender identity: Does part-time work make the family happier?
Abstract
Taking into account inter-dependence within the family, we investigate the relationship between part-time work and happiness.We use panel data from the new Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia Survey.Our analysis indicates that part-time women are more satisfied with working hours than full-time women. Partnered women's life satisfaction is increased if their partners work full-time.Male partners' life satisfaction is unaffected by their partners' market hours but is increased if they themselves are working full-time.This finding is consistent with the gender identity hypothesis of Akerlof and Kranton (2000).
Fields of Study & Subjects
Work-Family Balance Challenges
Publication details
- Journal / source
- ANU Press eBooks
- Pages
- 163–193
- Publication date
- 4 May 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter