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Men who share chores get their reward
11 March 2008
It's not just Equity Research that shows that men in fairer relationships are reaping the benefits of happiness and more intimacy with their partners.
Research carried out at the University of California, Riverside suggests that men who take on what their partners consider a fair share of the domestic chores are more attractive to their mates than those who don't.
University of Washington professor, Dr. John Gottman, believes that women consider a mans contribution to domestic chores as an act of caring which makes her bond more closely with him and which can also lead to greater intimacy - exactly what would be predicted by Equity Theory which states that people want their relationships to be fair and will work to return the relationship to balance. In other words, if your partner believes you are doing more than your fair share they will be motivated to restore balance in some way - perhaps by lavishing you with more intimacy.
But the benefits go beyond just the man-woman relationship. When a man involves his children in domestic chores, those children appear better adjusted socially, having more friends and getting on better at school. These effects are actually greater when a man works with the children than when a woman does. In addition, when a man shares domestic chores he sets up good role models for his children - setting them up for harmonious relationships in future.
The suggestion is clear : For a harmonious life, do your share of the housework!
