The value of time: essays on household, labor, and consumption

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze gender inequalities in the allocation of household chores and to understand the relationship between these inequalities, labor market disparities, and their consequences on food consumption. The research is divided into three articles, each addressing different aspects of intrafamily dynamics and their effects on paid work, the division of domestic labor, and food consumption. The first essay investigates the determinants of time allocation between domestic tasks and labor market activities for Brazilian couples, with an emphasis on differences across patriarchal, egalitarian, and non-traditional households. Using a Seemingly Unrelated Regressions (SUR) model with data from the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNADC) between 2016 and 2019, the results indicate that education and the presence of children and elderly individuals are important determinants of time allocation, especially for women. The study suggests that broader adoption of egalitarian practices could benefit not only women but also the economy as a whole by increasing female labor force participation and stimulating economic growth. The second article aims to analyze the influence of household chores on individual wages and on the gender wage gap, using the Instrumental Variables (IV) technique with data from the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNADC) between 2016 and 2019. The results suggest that time spent on domestic tasks negatively impacts wages, with women being more affected. Additionally, male partners’ participation in domestic tasks is associated with higher wages for women. The third article analyzes household food demand, focusing on the impact of the occupational status of female household heads or spouses on food consumption. Using the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) methodology with data from the 2017–2018 Household Budget Survey (POF), the results suggest that female employment influences families’ food choices—particularly regarding ultra-processed foods, for which demand is more elastic when the woman is not employed. Overall, the three articles reinforce the idea that time constraints and time allocation within families have significant consequences on various decisions and behaviors.