Canada said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) it will temporarily ban residents from three African countries amid an Ebola outbreak. Residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan will be banned from entering Canada for 90 days starting on Wednesday (May 27, 2026)
Stray dog at Hyderabad airport lounge seen eating leftovers, sparks hygiene debateA stray dog spotted at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport lounge in Hyderabad has gone viral after being seen eating leftovers. Published on: May 27, 2026 2:03 PM IST By Vaishali Kapila Share via Copy link A video
Kareena Kapoor's nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar shares 3 desi hacks to beat the heat naturally at home: Wala roots to…To combat heat, Rujuta Diwekar recommends adding vetiver roots to water, applying henna to the hands and drinking buttermilk with spices. Here's how they help. Updated on: May 27
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham termed "problematic" the role of Pakistan as a mediator in the United States' war with Iran. Mr. Graham's remarks came as Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said he is not in favour of Islamabad joining the Abraham Accords
Ashneer Grover once shut down his pitch with ‘Tu baith jaa yar’. Now he’s headed to Y CombinatorAn entrepreneur has shared his journey from being dismissed by Ashneer Grover to getting into the world’s most prestigious startup accelerator, Y Combinator. Updated on: May 27
Enduring gender gap in Time Use suggests the influence of patriarchal norms
Enduring gender gap in Time Use suggests the enduring influence of patriarchal social norms
Enduring gender gap in Time Use suggests the enduring influence of patriarchal social norms
The Time Use Survey 2024 confirms that even in the present era of AI, our allegiance to patriarchal norms and gendered patterns in time use prevail
Published on: Mar 08, 2026 6:15 PM IST By Sunny Jose, Athary Janiso Share via Copy link The maiden Time Use Survey held in 1998-99 in six states of India was an epiphany as it made it bare a phenomenon which was otherwise omnipresent. It revealed that we were brazenly generous in tasking women to primarily run the kitchen and take care of care work, whereas men were frugal in both participating and spending time on these vital, life-sustaining tasks. Ironically, the 2024 all-India Time Use Survey offers a scenario not so different from that of 1998-99, or for that matter, the more recent 2019 survey. Though women’s participation in economic activities has been rising significantly over the period, time use surveys of 2024 and 2019 reinforce that women continue to shoulder the primary responsibility of unpaid work in the household. (HT Archive) Our analysis of the unit-level data of the Time Use Survey 2024, confined to the age group of 15-59 years, reveals that 92% and 41% of women participated in unpaid domestic maintenance and care work, respectively, in 2024. The corresponding proportions for men are: 30% and 21%. Taken together, 93% of women, as opposed to 44% of men, participated in unpaid domestic or care work in India. In terms of time spent, women spent, on average, 343 minutes or close to six hours a day in these activities. By contrast, men spent, on average, just 43 minutes a day in unpaid domestic or care work combined. This is a paltry four minutes larger than the average time spent by men (40 minutes) in these activities in 2019. Thus, the huge gender gap found in both 1998-99 and 2019, in participation in and average time spent on unpaid household work, persists in 2024 as well. Do the southern states, hailed for higher autonomy and well-being of women, deviate from the all-India pattern? Equally, is the story different in the northeastern states? First, the northeastern states. They exhibit a progressive phenomenon, especially so in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, where more than 75% of men participate in unpaid domestic maintenance and care work. At the other end, with the lowest participation of men, are Gujarat (31%), Andhra Pradesh (33%) and Maharashtra (37%). Interestingly, southern states do not exhibit a common pattern. While Telangana (57%) and Kerala (54%) come next only to north-eastern states, Tamil Nadu (46%) and Karnataka (45%) echo the all-India pattern. As the attachment to social norms is known to be stronger in rural, older and less educated men, do these patterns emerge from urban, educated and younger men? Oddly, an increase in education does not guarantee a corresponding increase in men’s participation in unpaid household work. Equally, urban men tend to emulate their rural brethren. The only saving grace is the higher participation of younger men: 55% of men in the age group of 30-45 years, as opposed to 41% of men in the age group of 46-59 years, participate in unpaid household work. Interestingly, the presence or absence of additional adult female members in the household seems to influence men’s participation in unpaid work. For instance, 64% of men participate in unpaid household work if the household does not have an additional adult female. By contrast, men’s participation drops significantly to 46%, by 20 percentage points, if the household has an additional adult female. The participation declines further to 36% if there are two additional adult female members in the household. These seem to indicate that the higher participation of men in unpaid household work in households where there is only one adult female is driven primarily by sheer compulsion rather than a willing act of shared responsibilities. The Time Use Survey 2024 also reinforces yet another dimension of the gendered time-use pattern: higher participation of men than women in economic activities. For instance, 79% of men and 42% of women participated in economic activities in 2024. Men spent, on average, 376 minutes in economic activities, whereas the average time spent by women was 110 minutes. Since men spend, on average, more than six hours a day in economic activities, is it the lack of time — “time poverty” — that constrains them from participating in unpaid domestic work? The data reveal that participation in economic activities tends to go with a decline in time spent on unpaid work. For instance, about 95% of employed women participate in unpaid household work and spend, on average, 261 minutes per day. In contrast, the average time spent by women who do not participate in economic activities is 374 minutes, 113 minutes more than the former. However, there is still a huge gap between employed men and employed women in time spent on unpaid work. Employed men spend only 45 minutes in unpaid work as opposed to 261 minutes by employed women, a difference of 216 minutes. What is more, in households where at least one female member is employed, unemployed men spend only a paltry 26 minutes. These indicate men’s attachment to social norms rather than time poverty. The broad patterns arising from the Time Use Survey 2024 are a clear testimony to our unwavering allegiance to the rigid social norms despite our awareness about how they limit the contours of women’s freedom and opportunities as well as their well-being. Though women’s participation in economic activities has been rising significantly over the period, time use surveys of 2024 and 2019 reinforce that women continue to shoulder the primary responsibility of unpaid work in the household. Surprisingly, the average time women spend on household unpaid work did not register any decline despite a higher and growing access to social infrastructure, especially electricity, LPG connections, drinking water and household appliances, in this period. Agreeably, a larger proportion of men than women participate in economic activities. Yet, their lower participation and abysmal time spent on unpaid work appear to be associated with their attachment to social norms rather than time poverty. The Time Use Survey 2024 confirms that even in the present era of Artificial Intelligence, our allegiance to patriarchal norms and gendered patterns in time use prevail without any change. It is a stark reminder of the stranglehold of social norms on women and their time use, as well as their freedom and well-being. Though larger participation of younger men and men from north-eastern states offers a silver lining, the broader patterns remind us that much needs to be done, through effective and innovative public policy, in both reducing women’s unpaid work responsibilities and redistributing it through increased participation of men. Sunny Jose is professor and dean, School of Sciences and Humanities, SRM University, Sonepat and Athary Janiso is an assistant professor of Economics, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Hyderabad campus. The views expressed are personal Gender Gap Us Top News Get Current Updates on India News, Elections 2024, Lok sabha election 2024 voting live , Karnataka election 2024 live in Bengaluru , Election 2024 Date along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. News / Opinion / Enduring Gender Gap In Time Use Suggests The Enduring Influence Of Patriarchal Social Norms See LessThe maiden Time Use Survey held in 1998-99 in six states of India was an epiphany as it made it bare a phenomenon which was otherwise omnipresent. It revealed that we were brazenly generous in tasking women to primarily run the kitchen and take care of care work, whereas men were frugal in both participating and spending time on these vital, life-sustaining tasks. Ironically, the 2024 all-India Time Use Survey offers a scenario not so different from that of 1998-99, or for that matter, the more recent 2019 survey.
Our analysis of the unit-level data of the Time Use Survey 2024, confined to the age group of 15-59 years, reveals that 92% and 41% of women participated in unpaid domestic maintenance and care work, respectively, in 2024. The corresponding proportions for men are: 30% and 21%. Taken together, 93% of women, as opposed to 44% of men, participated in unpaid domestic or care work in India. In terms of time spent, women spent, on average, 343 minutes or close to six hours a day in these activities. By contrast, men spent, on average, just 43 minutes a day in unpaid domestic or care work combined. This is a paltry four minutes larger than the average time spent by men (40 minutes) in these activities in 2019. Thus, the huge gender gap found in both 1998-99 and 2019, in participation in and average time spent on unpaid household work, persists in 2024 as well.
Do the southern states, hailed for higher autonomy and well-being of women, deviate from the all-India pattern? Equally, is the story different in the northeastern states? First, the northeastern states. They exhibit a progressive phenomenon, especially so in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, where more than 75% of men participate in unpaid domestic maintenance and care work. At the other end, with the lowest participation of men, are Gujarat (31%), Andhra Pradesh (33%) and Maharashtra (37%). Interestingly, southern states do not exhibit a common pattern. While Telangana (57%) and Kerala (54%) come next only to north-eastern states, Tamil Nadu (46%) and Karnataka (45%) echo the all-India pattern.
As the attachment to social norms is known to be stronger in rural, older and less educated men, do these patterns emerge from urban, educated and younger men? Oddly, an increase in education does not guarantee a corresponding increase in men’s participation in unpaid household work. Equally, urban men tend to emulate their rural brethren. The only saving grace is the higher participation of younger men: 55% of men in the age group of 30-45 years, as opposed to 41% of men in the age group of 46-59 years, participate in unpaid household work.
Interestingly, the presence or absence of additional adult female members in the household seems to influence men’s participation in unpaid work. For instance, 64% of men participate in unpaid household work if the household does not have an additional adult female. By contrast, men’s participation drops significantly to 46%, by 20 percentage points, if the household has an additional adult female. The participation declines further to 36% if there are two additional adult female members in the household. These seem to indicate that the higher participation of men in unpaid household work in households where there is only one adult female is driven primarily by sheer compulsion rather than a willing act of shared responsibilities.
The Time Use Survey 2024 also reinforces yet another dimension of the gendered time-use pattern: higher participation of men than women in economic activities. For instance, 79% of men and 42% of women participated in economic activities in 2024. Men spent, on average, 376 minutes in economic activities, whereas the average time spent by women was 110 minutes.
Since men spend, on average, more than six hours a day in economic activities, is it the lack of time — “time poverty” — that constrains them from participating in unpaid domestic work?
The data reveal that participation in economic activities tends to go with a decline in time spent on unpaid work. For instance, about 95% of employed women participate in unpaid household work and spend, on average, 261 minutes per day. In contrast, the average time spent by women who do not participate in economic activities is 374 minutes, 113 minutes more than the former.
However, there is still a huge gap between employed men and employed women in time spent on unpaid work. Employed men spend only 45 minutes in unpaid work as opposed to 261 minutes by employed women, a difference of 216 minutes. What is more, in households where at least one female member is employed, unemployed men spend only a paltry 26 minutes. These indicate men’s attachment to social norms rather than time poverty.
The broad patterns arising from the Time Use Survey 2024 are a clear testimony to our unwavering allegiance to the rigid social norms despite our awareness about how they limit the contours of women’s freedom and opportunities as well as their well-being. Though women’s participation in economic activities has been rising significantly over the period, time use surveys of 2024 and 2019 reinforce that women continue to shoulder the primary responsibility of unpaid work in the household. Surprisingly, the average time women spend on household unpaid work did not register any decline despite a higher and growing access to social infrastructure, especially electricity, LPG connections, drinking water and household appliances, in this period. Agreeably, a larger proportion of men than women participate in economic activities. Yet, their lower participation and abysmal time spent on unpaid work appear to be associated with their attachment to social norms rather than time poverty.
The Time Use Survey 2024 confirms that even in the present era of Artificial Intelligence, our allegiance to patriarchal norms and gendered patterns in time use prevail without any change. It is a stark reminder of the stranglehold of social norms on women and their time use, as well as their freedom and well-being. Though larger participation of younger men and men from north-eastern states offers a silver lining, the broader patterns remind us that much needs to be done, through effective and innovative public policy, in both reducing women’s unpaid work responsibilities and redistributing it through increased participation of men.
Sunny Jose is professor and dean, School of Sciences and Humanities, SRM University, Sonepat and Athary Janiso is an assistant professor of Economics, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Hyderabad campus. The views expressed are personal
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: CBSE Class 11 Saif Ali Khan weighs in on gender wage gap in Bollywood Gender pay gap won't close for another 30 years Saif Ali Khan feels gender has nothing to do with pay gap in Bollywood Armand Duplantis Breaks His Pole Vault World Record For Record-Extending 13th Time Independence Day 2025 3-Month CAT 2025 Preparation Plan Siri’s Big Upgrade YouTube Now Offers AI-Powered Search Feature For More Users But Not In India Bank Of Maharashtra Is Hiring For 500 Generalist Officer Posts
Israel says it killed the commander of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Odeh, in a strike in Gaza on Tuesday - days after his predecessor died in a similar attack. At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens more were injured in Tuesday's major attack
1 hours ago
Air India currently operates about 4,400 flights each week, including approximately 3,600 domestic and 800 international services. Air India on Wednesday announced to “rationalise” operations on select domestic routes between June and August 2026. Amid the soaring fuel prices
1 hours ago
100 gharial hatchlings at Chambal sanctuary boost conservation efforts100 gharial hatchlings at Chambal sanctuary boost conservation efforts Published on: May 27, 2026 2:34 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Jaipur, Around 100 gharial hatchlings have emerged from four nests in the Palighat area of the
1 hours ago
Britannia Industries is set to raise prices on its Good Day biscuit family packs by Rs 10 across key variants, according to distributor sources. The Pista Badam 526g pack will be priced at Rs 140, the Butter family pack at Rs 120, and the Cashew family pack at Rs 130
1 hours ago
Why did Joe Biden sue DOJ? 5 things to know about his ‘private’ audio recordings set to be releasedJoe Biden sued the US Department of Justice, seeking to prevent the release of audio recordings and transcripts of private conversations with his biographer. Published on: May 27
1 hours ago
On the morning of December 17, 1967, Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt travelled to Cheviot Beach near Melbourne with a group of friends for what was supposed to be a relaxed day by the ocean. Within hours, the country’s leader had disappeared into the sea and would never be seen again
1 hours ago
Indian benchmark indices traded flat around noon on Tuesday as gains in metal, media and auto stocks offset weakness in financial and IT counters. At 12:35 pm, the Nifty 50 was trading 16 points up at 23,913.50, while the Sensex was up 35 points at 75,995.77
1 hours ago
As temperatures rise, staying hydrated becomes just as important as staying cool. The good news is that you don’t need complicated ingredients or hours in the kitchen to enjoy refreshing summer beverages. From protein-rich sattu sharbat to cooling chaas and tangy jaljeera
1 hours ago
Recent reports of Ebola outbreaks in Central Africa have once again drawn global attention to this group of haemorrhagic fever viruses. However, there have been no reported cases in the Indian subcontinent so far. According to Dr Neha Mishra, Consultant – Infectious Diseases
1 hours ago
The Congress party has strongly criticized the government regarding the CBSE's On-Screen Marking system. They allege that the Education Minister ignored advice, leading to student distress. The party is demanding the immediate resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
1 hours ago
Cardiologist explains why ‘normal’ stress test does not mean arteries are clean, shares 5 symptoms to look out forA stress test does not give the total picture of the cardiac blood vessels. As such, the risk of heart attack remains, shares Dr Yaranov. Updated on: May 27
1 hours ago
The Cleveland Cavaliers crashed out of the NBA playoffs in humiliating fashion on Monday, getting swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals after a brutal 130-93 defeat in Game 4. And almost immediately, the familiar speculation returned: could LeBron James make one final return
1 hours ago
The Congress on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) paid rich tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru on his death anniversary, with Rahul Gandhi saying that India's first Prime Minister's visionary leadership will continue to "guide us forever". Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi
1 hours ago
Organisational intelligence, the new growth pivot for enterprises, is emerging as a key differentiator between growth and stagnation of organisations. The key to being on the greener side of this phenomenon is the ability to learn faster and knowing how to put that knowledge into execution
1 hours ago
Fans of Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh are reacting with shock after a major film workers' union asked its members not to work with him over his alleged abrupt exit from the upcoming movie Don 3. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE)
1 hours ago
Ahead of the first Qualifier here, Arun Dhumal, the IPL chairman, spoke to The Hindu about the way ahead for the league. Ideally, in a 10-team format, you should have nine home and nine away games. Logistical challenges and the commitment given to bilateral series are the reasons we haven’t made
1 hours ago
The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build a secure, high-speed satellite communications network to connect military sensors and weapons platforms across the globe, the service announced on Tuesday. The fixed-price nontraditional contracting agreement
1 hours ago
Nuno Espirito Santo will stay on as West Ham manager to lead their fight to get back to the Premier League at the first attempt. The Portuguese met with the club's senior management on Monday in the wake of their relegation from the top flight
1 hours ago
Exclusive| Renuka Shahane to direct husband Ashutosh Rana for the first time in a short film, shares detailsAfter celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, Renuka Shahane reveals to us that she is directing husband Ashutosh Rana for the first time in a short film Updated on: May 27
1 hours ago
Republicans in South Carolina have defied US President Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections by blocking a measure to redraw voting maps in their favour. They allowed the state's only Democrat in the US House of Representatives, Jim Clyburn, to keep his seat intact
1 hours ago
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh met spiritual leader Sadhguru recently amid controversy surrounding his Don 3 exit. Recently, the official Instagram handle of Sadhguru shared a glimpse of Singh’s interaction with the spiritual leader, in which the actor was asking about the purpose of life
1 hours ago
Who is Wade Wilson's biological father and where is he now? All on Steven Testasecca as Worst Ex Ever streams on NetflixSteven Testasecca, Wade Wilson's biological father, played a crucial role in his son's arrest for two murders in 2019. May 27, 2026
1 hours ago
An Israeli airstrike on a village in eastern Lebanon killed 12 people, state media said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026), as an Israeli official said the military had called up more troops to Lebanon. The strike hit the village of Mashghara in the Bekaa Valley late Monday (May 25)
4 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.On Sunscreen Day, dermatologists debunk common myths and share key ingredients to watch forWhether you stay indoors or simply commuting to work
4 hours ago
Woman shares 'things she has been told as a big-chested girl in India': 'Could be sign of a disease'At 19, Piyali Roy was told being 'big-chested' could be a disease. She shares the unsolicited advice, policing, and harassment big-chested women face. Published on: May 27
4 hours ago
Firefighters battled a grass fire in Edinburgh and temperature records toppled as a spring heatwave scorched parts of Western Europe, triggering government warnings about risks to life. London recorded a rare “tropical night,” defined as one in which the temperature does not fall below 20
4 hours ago
Spain’s Consumer Rights Ministry temporarily banned so-called prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi for operating in the country without a gambling licence, the official state gazette showed on Tuesday. In a statement, the ministry said its gambling watchdog had opened a probe
4 hours ago
