Family migration and gender inequality in housework: Evidence from China

Abstract

While the impact of family migration on paid work is well-documented, its potential influence on housework remains largely unknown. This study examines the effect of couple migration on the division of housework in China, focusing on changes in housework hours for both female and male partners. Using panel data from the 2014 and 2016 waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we examine whether and how housework hours change following couple migration, and whether these changes correspond with shifts in employment conditions and family structure. Drawing on three theoretical perspectives, our analysis identifies couple migration as a significant life-course transition influencing domestic labour patterns. Results reveal only an increase, around 2 h per week, in women's housework time post-migration, even after accounting for shifts in employment status, working hours, and family structures. This gendered increase may reflect persistent traditional gender views and the social isolation experienced by migrant families, who often face challenges integrating into local communities. Our findings contribute to the literature on gender inequality by highlighting how couple migration can reinforce traditional gender roles, especially under conditions of limited social support. The study offers novel insights into the mechanisms underlying shifts in housework division during migration, utilising high-quality longitudinal data to capture actual behavioural changes among Chinese couples.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Social Science Research, 2026 · DOI ↗