Gender differences in household labor, time use and perceived co-responsibility among university students: a cross-sectional study

Background: Gender inequalities in unpaid household labor and time use persist across the life course and represent a key social determinant of health and well-being. While these disparities are well documented in adult populations, less is known about how they manifest among university students, a group often assumed to experience more egalitarian domestic arrangements. Objectives: To examine gender differences in household labor, time use, and perceived co-responsibility among university students, and to explore how living arrangements and family background shape these patterns. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire administered to students from two campuses of a public Spanish university. The survey collected sociodemographic data, living arrangements during the academic year, involvement in household tasks, time dedicated to study, paid work, personal and family life, perceptions of co-responsibility, and attitudes toward gender equality in domestic labor. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed by gender. Results: A total of 463 students participated (59.2% women, 36.3% men). Women reported greater involvement in household cleaning tasks and devoted more time to academic activities than men, while also reporting less available personal time. Although perceived levels of co-responsibility were relatively high and similar across genders, task-specific analyses revealed persistent gendered patterns. Women were more likely to report time constraints as a barrier to greater involvement, whereas men more frequently cited lack of demand or motivation. Nearly all participants agreed on the need for greater male involvement in household responsibilities, with stronger agreement among women. Conclusions: Despite high awareness and positive attitudes toward co-responsibility, gender inequalities in household labor and time use persist among university students. These findings highlight the early reproduction of gendered divisions of labor and underscore the need for institutional strategies promoting equality within academic communities.