Quantitative analysis of university students’ perceptions of fairness in the distribution of domestic tasks and caregiving responsibilities
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INTRODUCTION. Responsibility-sharing in caregiving and domestic labour remains a critical concern in advancing gender equity. This study investigates Spanish university students’ perceptions of the distribution of household tasks and caregiving responsibilities, along with their evaluations of the fairness of this distribution. The primary aim is to explore how perceptions of fairness vary according to factors such as gender, age, exposure to gender equality education, parental employment status, family educational background, and place of residence. METHODOLOGY. The sample comprises university students from various academic disciplines across Spain (N = 1,287). Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire featuring Likert scales, validated using the Delphi method and exhibiting high internal consistency (α = .966). Initially, descriptive statistical analyses were performed, calculating the percentage distributions of responses across the entire student sample, both at the item level and within the broader categories under investigation. This provided a preliminary overview of the prevailing trends in perceptions and behaviors. Subsequently, multi-group analyses were conducted employing a range of statistical techniques to identify the significance of differences between subgroups. RESULTS. Findings indicate enduring gender asymmetries in perceived responsibility-sharing: 84% of respondents believe that mothers predominantly manage household chores, while 96.5% report that they also bear the primary responsibility for childcare. Significant differences emerged based on gender, age, and gender equality education, with male
participants perceiving a more equitable distribution than female participants reported. DISCUSSION. The study concludes that, despite increased awareness of gender equity, traditional patterns in the allocation of domestic and caregiving responsibilities persist. The findings underscore the need to strengthen educational initiatives and public policies aimed at fostering more balanced household roles.
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