Family fortunes: Gender-based differences in the impact of employment and home characteristics on satisfaction levels

The preponderance of subjective well-being analysis investigates the peripheral impact of objective measures such as income. By shifting the focus towards family satisfaction, this paper offers an alternative perspective. Through the incorporation of both employment and home characteristics, it provides an opportunity to integrate the analysis of work–life balance with the expansive wider literature of job satisfaction. Our estimates generate two key findings. First, as is frequently found in the employment literature, we confirm the existence of significant gender differences in family satisfaction. Second, the belief that home ownership is necessarily a significant source of well-being is rejected.

► We model the determinants of family satisfaction.
► We confirm the existence of key gender differences.
► There are links between our approach and job satisfaction.
► Owner occupation does not necessarily increase well-being.
► There are policy implications for housing policy that support home-ownership.