Rb. Ruback et J. Pandey, GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTIONS OF HOUSEHOLD CROWDING - STRESS, AFFILIATION, AND ROLE OBLIGATIONS IN RURAL INDIA, Journal of applied social psychology, 26(5), 1996, pp. 417-436
Male and female researchers separately interviewed the male and female
heads of household in each of 159 homes in three villages in northern
India. Analyses revealed consistent gender differences, such that wom
en, compared to men, rated their homes more negatively, experienced mo
re physical symptoms, and thought the supply of resources was insuffic
ient. Surprisingly, women also believed that their homes could house m
ore people and were significantly more likely to want more children. I
n other words, women reacted negatively to crowding but also appeared
to like having many people in the household. Possible reasons for this
apparent contradiction are discussed.