Social capital and transaction costs in Women's Dual Roles: A narrative review

The role of women as homemakers has given rise to the stereotype that women are only capable of performing domestic tasks. This stereotype has become a subject of debate, especially among feminists, because women have been proven to perform dual roles in both the domestic and formal sectors. However, not all women who perform dual roles are able to perform their various roles well. Clear time constraints often lead to role conflicts. Using a narrative review method, this study aims to examine how women's social capital and transaction costs influence their ability to manage their dual roles. The bonding and bridging social capital women possess within their family, workplace, and community provide opportunities for them to allocate more time to paid work. When women face situations where social capital is insufficiently supportive while professional demands at their workplace persist, their choice is to access childcare services or domestic helper services as transaction costs for their decision to juggle multiple roles. This results in longer working hours, increased productivity, and higher income for women with lower socioeconomic status. For women with higher socioeconomic status, the free time they have is not used to increase working hours but rather for a more relaxed lifestyle.