The purpose of this paper is to introduce the IDF (Intrahousehold Disadvantages Framework) which provides researchers with a set of practical tools to analyse intra-household differentiation. This paper presents a critical analysis of existing gender frameworks, focusing on their applicability to analysing other dimensions of intra-household difference (not their inherent value per se). This identifies a set of tools and concepts which will help provide an analytical starting point from which to examine these (non-gender) intrahousehold asymmetries.