"Having it all" or "doing it all"? Perceived trait attributes and behavioral obligations as a function of workload, parenthood, and gender

The perceived warmth and competence of men and women who varied in number of hours worked and childcare responsibilities were assessed using either subjective trait ratings or objective behavioral frequency estimates. Trait ratings were determined by number of hours worked, and not target gender. Estimates of behavioral frequency indicated that women and men were viewed as equally likely to engage in work related competence behaviors, but that women were expected to perform more warmth related behaviors, and their childcare responsibilities remained more constant regardless of hours worked. Thus although trait perceptions are driven by individuating information regarding time distribution to work and home, gender affects judgments of who performs childcare related tasks such that women continue to be viewed as more likely to deal with these. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.