Creating Equality at Home

'Fascinating real-life examples of how couples around the world are creating equality in family work, demonstrating that individual choices and decisions can thwart social norms and structural forces and that gender equality exists right now in unlikely places'.' The Bookseller 'This is an impressive work; both for its scope of research and its optimism that equality at a household level is possible. The stories provide much-needed nuance to the lives of couples who 'undo gender' and how women, men, and children benefit from equal sharing.' Gary Barker, President and CEO, Promundo, USA, and co-author of State of the World's Fathers 'It is the most compelling and inspirational book about involved fathering to appear in decades. Not only are the couples' stories illuminated with sensitivity to cultural and political differences, but personal struggles and inter-generational tensions are expertly discussed. This is the best book on family labor-sharing.' Scott Coltrane, sociologist, Provost Emeritus, University of Oregon, and author of Gender and Families 'The authors successfully solve the puzzle of how couples can resist the dominant gender norms surrounding them. This fascinating book demonstrates that, beyond cultural and institutional differences, fathers benefit from equality as much as mothers when they contribute in tandem with their partner to shape a new and fairer world.' Jeanne Fagnani, Emeritus Senior Research Fellow in Sociology, University of Paris-Sorbonne, France, and co-author of Fathers and Mothers We have been given an exceptionally comprehensive account of how heterosexual couples throughout the globe endeavor to create domestic equality. The stories demonstrate how, under the right social conditions, partners can overcome barriers to forge equal relationships. This is an indispensable guide for dismantling the outdated norms and structures that support gender inequality.' Kathleen Gerson, Professor of Sociology and Collegiate Professor of Arts and Science, New York University This is a fascinating book, providing riveting stories that show how couples around the world become resisters and undo gender. Other books explain inequality, while this important book explains equality and how it can be accomplished. Couples attempting to reconcile work and family, seasoned activists and scholars, graduates and undergraduates should read it.' Naomi Gerstel, Distinguished University Professor, University of Massachusetts, and co-author of Unequal Time 'This book is a perfect blend of scholarly analysis and compelling personal stories of couples who have bucked gender norms to create equality in their homes. From 22 countries across the globe, these men and women provide road maps for undoing gender and make a powerful case for the tremendous rewards that follow from embracing equality.' Ronnie Janoff-Bulman, Professor Emerita of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts, and author of Shattered Assumptions 'This is the collection I have been waiting for. The editors bring together a brilliant group of scholars from around the world to share stories of equal-sharing couples in 22 countries. They provide a wonderful journey through 60/60 parenting in Israel, dismantling housewifization in Indonesia, flying towards equality in Honduras, and more.' Gayle Kaufman, Nancy and Erwin Maddrey Professor of Sociology, Davidson College, and author of Superdads 'This creative book analyses the sharing process established by couples from different cultures. Based on international comparisons, it highlights the benefits of egalitarian couples who fairly split domestic tasks. It is a truly amazing book for mapping out a household's journey towards gender equality!' Helene Perivier, economist, Director of the Programme de Recherche et D'Enseignement de Savoirs sur le Genre (PRESAGE), and co-author of Le Deuxieme Age de L'emancipation 'This innovative book demonstrates, using interviews from 22 countries, how couples undo gender by describing a typical day in their lives. I would recommend the book for every family (and to academics researching families) to become happy in their own way.' Andrea Peto, Professor, Central European University, Hungary, and co-editor of Gendered Wars, Gendered Memories 'While gender inequality at home seems intractable, this study shows that equal sharing is possible and a common methodology across cases reveals the conditions under which it happens. With vivid qualitative data and an engaging writing, this book is a superb teaching resource as well as a must-have for researchers.' Juliet Schor, Professor of Sociology, Boston College, and author of After the Gig 'Here is a book with a mission. Its goal is to inject some optimism into debates that focus on the persistence of 'traditional' gender roles in housework and childcare. It's an uplifting account and an informative read.' Jacqueline Scott, Emerita Professor of Empirical Sociology, University of Cambridge 'For anyone interested in relationships or gender, this unique compilation of case studies on gender resisters is a must read. The authors show what gender resisters share, regardless of nationality, and convincingly demonstrate how equality is achieved as well as the benefits it affords for both women and men.' Janice M. Steil, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Adelphi University, and author of Marital Equality