A Positive Outcome of COVID-19? The Effects of Work from Home on Gender Attitudes and Household Production

Hiromi Hara and Daiji Kawaguchi
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Hiromi Hara: Japan Women's University

No 22-E-2, Bank of Japan Working Paper Series from Bank of Japan

Abstract: One of the more substantial changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has been the work from home (WfH) movement. However, as countries now prepare to move beyond the pandemic, the longevity of WfH remains unclear, as it involves not only the operations of businesses but of households as well. A further question is whether this pandemic-induced behavioral change might lead to more long-lasting societal effects such as a shift in gender norms. This study draws on an original panel survey dataset in Japan covering the periods before and after the onset of the pandemic to explore how engagement in WfH affects a couple's allocation of household production, work hours, and attitudes toward traditional gender norms. We find that husbands who adopt WfH increase their share of household production and also form more gender-neutral views of traditional gender roles. We also discuss the potential impact of this shift in gender attitudes on the future of WfH and the labor market.

Keywords: Work from Home; Household Production; Gender Attitudes; COVID-19; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J12 J16 J22 J81 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
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