A few thoughts on dirty dishes, overgrown lawns and marital harmony

Anyone who’s ever lived with a person of the opposite sex knows that one key to household harmony is figuring out who cleans the toilet.

The big question: Who does clean the toilet?

This week, a Norwegian researcher shared with TODAY his research showing that divorce rates are actually higher among people who share those household chores equally.

Still, he cautioned that the correlation between housework and divorce shouldn’t be mistaken for causation. The researcher’s theory is that modern couples, and those in which women have more financial power, are more likely to share household chores. Those are also the type of couples who are more likely to divorce.

Here in the United States, it seems housework is still often women’s work.

Over the 17,000 people who took our poll on the subject, more than 50 percent said the woman in the house does more of the housework than the man.

Only about 12 percent said the man does more, while about 20 percent said they share it equally. The rest said they were single.

 

Many readers told us that the woman does more housework because she does less work outside the home, or makes less money at her job.

“My husband works outside the home and I am a (stay at home) mom. He helps when he can but I consider it my responsibility to do the household chores,” one reader wrote.

Another wrote: “My wife does more as she should since her income contribution is zero-to-1/5 during our marriage. She would hate for my income to drop.”

Many who share responsibilities equally defended the practice and derided the study’s findings.

“Married for 40 years. I do carpets and floors, she does laundry. We share as we have shared all of our lives. Til death do us part,” one reader said.

While we are quite happy for that couple, it’s clear that in many of our readers’ homes chores are a battle of the sexes. Many men complained that they have to do the housework and yard work, adding up to more total work. Meanwhile, many women complained that their spouses spend more time sitting on the couch than cleaning it -- or their husbands don’t understand how to clean well.

Happily, some readers also seemed to recognize that humor is key to a good marriage.

“I do a significant amount of the housework, but after reading this article I'm going to tell my wife that she has to do it all. It's for the sake of our marriage!” one reader joked.

 

People.com
5297,5

Discuss this post

the one thing i won't do is bathrooms which my wife is fine with as i wouldn't do them to her specifications anyway. i do the yard, she does any gardening that she wants(i still get to lift the heavy bushes and other items) everything else we kind of share except dishes. she does the dishes cause i'm home first and i do the cooking but when she wants to make something i do the dishes.

    Reply#1 - Fri Oct 5, 2012 2:58 PM EDT

    I enjoyed seeing the statements: “Married for 40 years. I do carpets and floors, she does laundry. We share as we have shared all of our lives. Til death do us part,” one reader said.

    Reminds me of the line from the song "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" :

    Praying for the end of time,
    So I can end my time with you!!


      #1.1 - Mon Oct 8, 2012 7:55 PM EDT
      Reply

      After 41 years and due to these articles, I offered to help my wife. She said "You really want to help me? First, get rid of those pocket gophers in my garden and second kill those damned prairie dogs just outside the yard fence."

      Think you're equals? Go ahead and change the furniture in the living room while the wife's out of the house.

        Reply#2 - Fri Oct 5, 2012 3:07 PM EDT

        I built the house & preform repairs, she does the inside work, I do the outside/car, and I pay the bills. On the farm I cut the weeds and assist in harvest, she & children do the planting...

        In the USA she does the laundry and in Thailand everyone assists (no auto-washer or dryer)...

        She puts the toilet seat down, I put the seat up, except in Thailand, where there is no seat. We both clean the toilet, but to her specifications...

        Cooking is women's & restaurant responsibility, except for hamburgers/pizza, and grill operations. Children clean the dishes and outside cooking area. Everyone enjoys going to the market, to spend money...

        TV/computer - Day time wife & students, movies - ALL have input, evenings students first - me last. Middle of night/early morning (now) - ME...

        Sex is usually my idea, with her permission... Ha! Ha!

          Reply#3 - Fri Oct 5, 2012 5:44 PM EDT

          Didn't we just see essentially the same article a day or two ago???????

          • 2 votes
          Reply#4 - Fri Oct 5, 2012 5:53 PM EDT

          Yes we did.They are recycling stories for space fillers I believe.

            #4.1 - Sat Oct 6, 2012 11:58 PM EDT
            Reply

            My husband's job is significantly more stressful than mine, he travels a lot and has more stress during the day. He helps out as much as he can, but sometimes I tell him to take some down time because he is bad about getting enough rest. I prefer it if he cleans the toilets and vacuums the stairs, because those are two jobs I hate! He does those inside jobs and mows the lawn, I do the gardens for the most part. He does dishes once in a while when he has time. What works for us might not work for you, each couple should find a common ground and stand on it! Married for over 30 years .................

              Reply#5 - Mon Oct 8, 2012 12:12 PM EDT
              You're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead.
              As a new user, you may notice a few temporary content restrictions. Click here for more info.