Does Sharing Housework Cause Divorce?

 Posted on February 28, 2013 in Family Law

A new study has concluded that couples who share household duties are at a higher risk of divorce than those marriages where the wife does most of the chores. Researchers found that the divorce rate was actually fifty percent higher.

The study, entitled "Equality in the Home", was conducted in Norway. The Daily News recently interviewed one of its co-authors, Thomas Hansen, about the results and what they mean. Hansen said they found no, or very little, cause-and-effect and concluded that the results have more to do with “modern attitudes”.

“Modern couples are just that, both in the way they divide up the chores and in their perception of marriage as being less sacred,” said Hansen. "In these modern couples, women also have a high level of education and a well-paid job, which makes them less dependent on their spouse financially. They can manage much easier if they divorce.”

Hansen suggested that having a clear definition of each person’s role in the marriage, knowing who is responsible for what, may cut down on arguments between couples because no resentment builds up over one spouse feeling the other isn’t contributing their fair share.

Norway has long recognized gender equality between men and women in regards to child-rearing. The ratio is seven out of ten couples share responsibilities equally. But statistics show that in the area of domestic duties, woman still are the ones responsible in the majority of marriages. The research also concluded that the women in the study were largely satisfied with the situation, and their overall happiness was very close to those women who were part of a “modern couple”.

Whatever your reason for considering divorce, you should consult with an experienced Illinois family law attorney to make sure your property and assets are protected.