(ともばたら)

ともばたらき
noun
dual-income; both spouses working
1. dual-income household; both spouses working
a household where both partners are employed and contribute to the family income
共働(ともばたら)きの夫婦(ふうふ)()えている。
The number of dual-income couples is increasing.
共働(ともばたら)きだと家事(かじ)分担(ぶんたん)大切(たいせつ)だ。
When both work, sharing housework is important.
共働(ともばたら)きでも子育(こそだ)てと両立(りょうりつ)している。
Even with both working, they balance work and child-rearing.

SOCIAL VOCABULARY:
共働(ともばたら)き describes households where both partners work outside the home.

SOCIAL CONTEXT:

共働(ともばたら)き has become increasingly common in Japan as:

  • Women's labor force participation has increased
  • Economic necessity requires dual incomes
  • Attitudes toward gender roles have shifted

CHALLENGES:

  • 家事(かじ)分担(ぶんたん) - division of housework
  • 育児(いくじ)仕事(しごと)両立(りょうりつ) - balancing childcare and work
  • 待機(たいき)児童(じどう) - daycare waiting lists

RELATED TERMS:

  • 専業(せんぎょう)主婦(しゅふ) - full-time homemaker
  • 兼業(けんぎょう) - holding multiple jobs
  • ワンオペ育児(いくじ) - single-parent-style childcare (when one parent does all)
  • 家事(かじ)育児(いくじ) - housework and childcare

OTHER READING:
Also pronounced as ともかせぎ, though ともばたらき is more common.