Well, now, this is interesting: First, a study found that couples who divide housework along traditional gender lines have more sex than couples who share so-called "men's" and "women's" work; that is, those in which the man does traditional “female” work. That study found that couples who follow traditional gender roles—with wives cooking, cleaning and shopping while men do yard work, pay bills and maintain the car—reported having more frequent sex.
But before male readers who long to restore their traditional roles become too "aroused” by these results, hold on: A very different picture emerges from a newer study. This one took a closer look at the evolution of marriage relationships. It found that a gender-neutral division of labor in the home does not lead to a decrease of sexual frequency or satisfaction after all.
In fact, in can increase both.
Georgia State University researchers Daniel Carlson, Amanda Miller, Sarah Hanson, and Sharon Sassler, who directed this new study, found that the earlier one failed to accurately depict the current state of American relationships because it relied on data collected in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The new research, meanwhile, was based on data from a 2006 Marital and Relationship Survey.
The new study revisited housework and couples’ intimacy, and the results, now published as "The Gender Division of Housework and Couples’ Sexual Relationships: A Re-Examination,” show that an equal division of labor in the home does not lead to a decrease in sexual frequency and satisfaction. In reality, egalitarian couples have similar and sometimes better sex lives than their "conventional" counterparts.
Although women still do most of the housework in most American households, the research suggests that this is steadily changing and evolving. Carlson believes this new research proves Americans have grown to favor flexibility not only professionally, but personally. “Attitudes are a big difference,” he said. “Couples today have role models to look at to make this work. In the ’80s, egalitarian couples were at the forefront of change. Today’s couples have those examples to look to. It makes it a lot easier, resulting in higher-quality relationships.”
He added, “I think we’ve moved to a place where a very stark division of labor is not something people want nor is it something couples want. It is clear what the vast majority of people want. It’s just that right now our social institutions are lagging behind our cultural values. Eventually, as people continue to argue and fight for policies that promote gender equality at home and at work, people will be able to achieve their desires.”
I think this study is a hopeful sign for the continuing evolution of men’s and women’s relationships. It’s certainly consistent with what I have seen in my office in recent decades.
Now, all you couples out there: Share the housework.
Center for Progressive Development
Blog: Progressive Impact
© 2014 Douglas LaBier
