Working Paper: NBER ID: w13985
Authors: Valerie A. Ramey
Abstract: This paper presents new estimates of time spent in home production in the U.S. during the 20th Century. Regressions based on detailed tabulations from early time diary studies are used to construct estimates for housewives that are closer to being nationally representative for the first half of the 20th Century. These estimates are then linked to estimates from individual-level data from 1965 to the present. Time diary studies of other groups such as employed women, men, and children are also compiled and analyzed. The new estimates suggest that time spent in home production by prime-age women fell by around six hours from 1900 to 1965 and by another 12 hours from 1965 to 2005. Time spent by prime-age men rose by 13 hours from 1900 to 2005. Considering the entire population, including children and older individuals, per capita time spent in home production increased slightly over the century. The new estimates are used to assess leading theories about long-run trends in home production.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: J22; N32
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Technological advancements (e.g., the diffusion of appliances) (O33) | changes in home production time (D13) |
| Rising labor force participation and educational attainment (J49) | Time spent in home production by prime-age women fell (D13) |
| Time spent in home production by prime-age men increased (D13) | Time spent in home production by prime-age men increased by 13 hours from 1900 to 2005 (D13) |
| Per capita time spent in home production increased slightly over the century (D13) | Per capita time spent in home production increased slightly over the century (D13) |
| Technological advancements (O33) | Actual time spent in home production did not decrease as expected (D13) |