Gender Difference in the Allocation of TimePREPARING FOOD COOKED AT HOME VERSUS PURCHASING PREPARED FOOD

摘要

This paper examines the allocation of non-market hours (i.e. hours not spent in paid employment or work) for food preparation and the effect of socio-demographic characteristics, the value of time, and nutrition preferences on time-use decisions regarding food choice. A time-allocation model is developed and tested using the American Time Use Survey. Working hours and family income are negatively related to time spent preparing food cooked at home, yet education and leisure time are positively related. Gender differences in food choice are not only influenced by the value of time and nutrition-consciousness but also by gender roles: educated women devote less time to food preparation and educated men spend more.