Gendered Household Labor and Its Effect on Work–Family Balance Satisfaction

ABSTRACT Objective This study investigates how gender, employment status, and educational level influence the distribution of domestic and caregiving tasks—and how these factors affect satisfaction with work–family balance (SWFB)—among Brazilian employees. Background Guided by the Gendered Opportunity Structures Theory , this research situates the persistent gendered division of household labor within the broader social and organizational context of Brazil. Method Data were collected from 1176 employees across two companies in Brazil. Analyses included multinomial logistic regressions and a multiple linear regression examining SWFB. Results Gender remained the primary determinant of both domestic and caregiving responsibilities and of satisfaction with work–family balance, surpassing the effects of education and partner employment. A family‐supportive organizational culture did not moderate these relationships, suggesting that gendered opportunity structures persist even in flexible or family‐friendly environments. Implications The findings highlight the need for gender‐responsive organizational policies and for educational and therapeutic interventions that help couples renegotiate implicit gender expectations. Broader structural and cultural transformations are necessary to achieve genuine equity in work–family balance.