ABSTRACT
The advance of technology and the introduction of large-scale freezing and canning techniques have provided one additional alternative to the average Hungarian family. They can buy semi-prepared or completely prepared dishes to supplement their evening meals. The most time-consuming activity in a typical Hungarian household is washing and ironing, a task that takes nearly one hour every day out of the free time of every woman. Washing has never been easy for women who did not possess a washer and dryer combination. Finally, there is the care of the children, an area where men can and do make contributions in running the household. The notion of men caring for children, pushing baby carriages on the street, seems to be generally accepted by both men and women. Social class or occupation influences the amount of time fathers spend with their children; among intellectuals and professionals, fathers spend nearly as much time with their children as the mothers.
