More Men Go For The Mop

   By drodriguez  Apr 10, 2008
39

As women, we have seen our fair share of battles (some still being fought) on the road to equality for our gender. One battle in particular hits many of us close to home, actually in our homes. If you guessed the unequal division of housework and chores, you are probably already all too familiar with this issue.

A new study released from the Council on Contemporary Families sheds some new light on this dark and dirty topic. The Council reports that since the 1960's men's contributions to household tasks has doubled from about 15 percent to over 30 percent. It is also reported that today's full or part-time employed married woman in the U.S. now does two hours less housework than in 1965.

Even more encouraging is the dramatic increase we have seen in men’s contributions to childcare. The Council reports that men have tripled the amount of time they spend caring for their children since the mid 1960’s. Women have also made a big leap in this department, doubling their time spent with their children from 1965 to 2003. The Council on Contemporary Families explains the mutual increase by saying that it “appears to be related to higher standards for both mothers and fathers about spending time with children.”

The Council also believes that this trend of men helping out more at home will continue as more and more women join the workforce. And this is good news for our marriages too. According to the study, couples that have more of an equal division of labor are less likely to divorce.

What do you think of the new findings that men are helping out more at home?

Do you see these types of changes happening in your home with your spouse?

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firecracker by firecracker | Elgin, TX
Jul 31, 2008

Washing the dishes after dinner seems to make him feel like he has done a great deed. When we discuss him helping around the house more he gets very defensive and says he does. I don't think he has any idea what daily work goes into keeping a clean house with 2 kids and a not so helpful husband.

stephanite by stephanite | San Carlos, CA
Jul 10, 2008

My husband was raised in a traditional Korean household as the first-born son, so he never had any chores to do. When we first moved in together this translated into him just leaving clothes on the floor and dishes and plates everywhere, but we've worked on it and I would say that he does about 25%--it's OK considering the fact that his job is more "high pressure" than mine. He bought me a Roomba for X-mas, so that's helpful.

I would say I still do the lion's share of the housework, but if I want things to be done correctly I pretty much do them myself. I envy the spoiled wives!

abartz by abartz | Glendale, CA
Jun 25, 2008

How do you get your husband to help? I constantly ask mine to help me clean or whatever, yeah he'll do it when I ask but only that once. He can't seem to cross that barrier into making it a habit.

marylsmith88 by marylsmith88 | chattanooga, TN
Jun 08, 2008

ps- by me wanting to clean the house and raise children by no means do I mean- "Hey husband, when you are done can you leave that dirty bowl in the sink." Maybe my expectations are high, but I would like for him to clean up after himself a little. Like put his dirty dish in the dishwasher, dirty clothes in the laundry bin... etc.

marylsmith88 by marylsmith88 | chattanooga, TN
Jun 08, 2008

In the 60's most women stayed home with the children or worked light jobs. They were resposbible for the housework and shopping. The men were the bread-winners. Now that our economy has shifted so much, both parents must work to be able to afford the high cost of living. With women working the same hours (or even more) than their husbands, who is left to do the housework? it only makes sense to divide it between the husband and wife (and of course give the children a few chores). It is great that men are helping out because i know i can't be Super Woman ALL THE TIME, but when I am married with children I would love to stay home and have my job title be:

Super Mom- saves the day just in time for dinner!

egindin by egindin | reading, PA
May 31, 2008

My husband does not know where the cleaning supplies are kept, how to clean, or ever bothers to clean. The only area he cleans is his place at the table (because the dirty dishes get in the way of the new ones). I've told him that I need help, but my pleas fall on deaf ears. I'm surprised by the other blog replies--a cleaning man is a rare man (or so I thought).

ILvTink by ILvTink | JACKSONVILLE, FL
May 13, 2008

I am a stay at home mom but have kids at two different schools where I do alot of volunteering. So although I don't have a paid job I am busy outside the home and still have to keep up with household stuff. He still does his fair share of helping around the house. He shares cooking duties and washes and puts away the dishes. He also does laundry and will straighten up. I think that is more because he wants a place to sit on the couch. lol.

Tiarati by Tiarati | Kalamazoo, MI
May 11, 2008

My husband helps out around the house regularly, especially since I am not able to do as much in cleaning and helping due to several injuries I've sustained in my past. I really don't have to ask him twice. Sometimes I wonder though...was this a natural for him? He has a nac for wanting things in order and cleanliness or he's out of place. I call it his menstrual phase. I'm grateful to have him in my life to help me through things.

Halli by Halli | Rosedale, IN
May 09, 2008

My husband helps around the house all the time.Having MS prevents me from being able to do a lot of things and he is great to help without complaining. Don't know what I would do without his help

thehunters by thehunters | Fort Gratiot, MI
May 09, 2008

Sorry, but I would like to know where these men reside, I love my hubby dearly, but it is NOT SEXY to see him mopping up the floor! As a stay at home mommy to 3, I like to take care of him and the housework, but if he wanted to help me outside, that would be a diffrent story!

jz2005 by jz2005 | Oregon, IL
May 06, 2008

My husband missed this info. I do all the housework and work outside the home (granted, only part time, but tired when i get home). I clean houses for the elderly and take them to do their errands. He told me when i started back to work he would help out with the house, over a year ago, and he occasionally washes dishes for me. Dont know how long that will last now that he got me a dishwasher, lol. Oh well. I can dream of getting help once in awhile.

sharman421 by sharman421 | TALLAHASSEE, FL
May 05, 2008

When women are "stay at home" moms, they do just as much ,if not more work than dads or moms who go out to work. Usually, the day begins at the crack of dawn and doesn't end til the last batch of laundry is done before bedtime. No such thing as an 8 hour day. So, BOTH partners should "share" responsibilities when they are home together, not just "help out".

cullum1998 by cullum1998 | Toledo, OH
May 03, 2008

My hubby helps around the house lots.We both work fulltime and many times I can say he does more than me.He does all the vacuuming,some laundry and more.I am so lucky...

danesmom by danesmom | Adell, WI
Apr 30, 2008

I am a stay at home mom, and I do not feel that housework is my sole responsibility. My responsibility is teaching a guiding my children. I do keep up with 80% of the house during nap time, but do expect my husband to chip in when he is home. He is happy to help me knowing that my job as mom is just as difficult as his. Laundry, dishes, picking up toys and cooking are no feat for my dear man.

stina72 by stina72 | Vancouver, WA
Apr 29, 2008

My Husband has always done his part around the house. I never really thought it was odd because my dad was the same way always helping my mom. I guess I lucked out.