Wives in Shanghai have a higher status in the household compared with most women in China, according to a new study conducted by the Marriage and Family Studies Association.
According to the report, more than 90 percent of married women in Shanghai are satisfied with their household roles, citing supportive husbands who get their input when it comes to making decisions, as reported by English-language newspaper Shanghai Daily.
There were 509 married women surveyed, representing a wide range of the population, including migrants and expatriates. Most of the women were between 22 and 60 years old.
"Our city's culture has been influenced by the West, which means gender parity is better here than elsewhere in China," said Li Hanlin, an association official.
Li believes there are more considerate husbands in Shanghai compared to the rest of China.
"They respect their wives' choices, play a responsible role in the family and even do some housework," said Li. "We find that families in Shanghai are often democratic, and the status of women in society is rising."
When it comes to delegating household duties, the survey discovered that husbands mainly handle decisions regarding major purchases like furniture or appliances, while wives mainly handle the household budget.
"About 55 percent of respondents said they decide how much the family spends on daily living," said Li. "When couples have disputes, half of respondents said their husbands will make concessions."
When it comes to buying furniture, around 35 percent of the respondents said that they consult their husbands, while a third said the decisions were mutual.
When it comes to buying a house, 45 percent of women answered that the decision belonged to their husbands.