ABSTRACT
Research on the division of household labor demonstrates a persistent pattern: married women continue to perform all or most household tasks even when they are employed (Berk, 1985; Hartmann, 1981; Vanek, 1980). Similar patterns have been reported among Chicano families, however, these patterns are analyzed and reported in diverse ways. Some researchers stress the participatory role of husbands in the division of household labor to emphasize a trend toward egalitarianism (Ybarra, 1982), but even those who adhere to this line of thought acknowledge male reluctance. Ybarra and Arce (1981) found that husbands might participate in some household chores but that tasks such as cooking and laundry are resistant to “defeminization.” Flores (1982) reported a traditional sex-role division, with women doing the majority of the housework; and other researchers support the tenacity of the traditional division of household labor (Mirandé and Enríquez, 1979; Segura, 1984).
