Futrelle, David “Closing the Chore Gap” Time Magazine December 21, 2012 Assessed November 8, 2013 http://business.time.com/2012/12/21/closing-the-chore-gap/

In the article “Closing the Chore Gap” the author David Futrelle discusses the large gap between men and women performing household chores. Studies have shown that men continue to do less household chores than women. I chose this article because it amazes me that in this modern age men are not sharing the responsibility of managing a home active child rearing. This concept of the chore gap between men and women gives people an in-depth view of gender inequality. The chore gap is a direct result of the sociological theory of gender socialization.
Gender socialization is the learning of gender roles through social factors such as schooling, the media and family( Intro to Sociology pg. 260).Through contact with primary and secondary agents of socialization, children internalize the social norms and expectations that correspond with their sex(Intro to Sociology pg.260). The functionalist perspective view boys and girls as learning sex roles and the masculinity and femininity that accompany them (Intro to Sociology. pg.260). Boys are socialized to be rough and tough very masculine and these boys grow up to be men who perceives housework as feminine. This perception makes men want to do as little housework as possible if any at all.
Girls are socialized to be nurturing, caregivers, and to accept housework as their responsibility. This socialization results in girls growing up to be women who are overwhelmed with trying to work a job outside the home and then come home to a second shift of housework. The second shift is unpaid for women and overall makes a woman’s workday much longer than their spouses. According to the author on average woman work four hours a day on the job and then come home to work an additional five hours. Men work on average five hours on the job and then may work an additional 2.7 hours at home.
This chore gap continues to leave the responsibility of rearing children, and running the household up to the woman. Women’s acceptance of traditional gender roles perpetuates the chore gap. Many sociologist see the chore gap as a result of economic forces: Household work is exchanged for economic support. Women earn less money than men they generally remain economically dependent on their husbands and thus