Scientists: Husbands who take on more housework improve their wives’ mental health

According to several researches by the scientists, husbands who engage more in household tasks significantly enhance their wives’ mental health.

The researches showed that when men take on roles traditionally viewed as women’s work such as cooking, cleaning, and ironing, makes their partners experience lower rates of depression and improved overall well-being.

A recent study conducted by scientists in South Korea backs this assertion.

Their findings revealed that for each additional hour a husband dedicates to housework, his wife’s likelihood of experiencing low mood or depression decreases by approximately 12 percent.

Historically, societal norms dictated that men fulfil the role of breadwinners while women managed the household.

Despite changes in these traditional roles, many surveys indicate that women still carry a disproportionate share of household chores.

The 2023 British Social Attitudes Survey, which included responses from 3,000 participants, found that two-thirds of women still handle the majority of cooking and cleaning tasks.

Moreover, only 22 percent of men reported contributing significantly to these responsibilities.

Researchers from Yonsei University College of Medicine conducted an extensive analysis over six years, surveying 7,000 married women every two years.

They discovered that women spend an average of just over two and a half hours daily on routine chores, while men only average about 35 minutes.

In addition, the scientists examined the connection between the amount of housework husbands performed and their wives’ mental health.

They found that dissatisfaction among women regarding their husbands’ contributions led to a 15 percent increase in the likelihood of mental health issues.

Conversely, wives who were pleased with their partners’ involvement showed an 18 percent reduction in the risk of experiencing low mood.

Notably, the data suggested that when husbands increased their household contributions, the mental health risks for wives reduced significantly.

“Couples in which husbands shared household chores equally reported better mental health outcomes for wives,” the scientists said.

The scientists said, by taking on their fair share of household duties, husbands not only alleviate the physical burden on their partners but also foster a supportive environment that enhances their emotional health.

The researchers concluded that male involvement in household chores decreases the risk of depression for married women, advocating for a shift toward egalitarian domestic roles.

Household chores or ‘women’s work’? by Judith Treas

Judith Treas In her book: “Dividing the Domestic: Men, Women, and Household Work in Cross-National Perspective” analyzed international survey data to explore why women continue to bear the majority of domestic responsibilities, even as more women enter the workforce.

Treas noted that while some countries, like Sweden, are making strides toward equalizing household duties, others reinforce traditional gender roles through policies that favor women taking time off for domestic tasks.

Gender Roles in Housework

Judith said one major reason housework often falls to women is due to competing time commitments.

Typically, the partner with fewer external obligations takes on more household tasks.

Since women generally work fewer paid hours than men, they end up doing more housework.

Interestingly, when women work longer hours, their husbands often step in to help more.

However, even couples who consider themselves egalitarian may revert to traditional roles once they move in together, marry, or have children.

Treas explained that societal expectations lead many to perform their gender roles within the home.

The phenomenon, known as “doing gender,” involves individuals subconsciously adhering to societal norms regarding masculinity and femininity.

As a result, even couples who strive for equality may find themselves falling into traditional patterns of household labor.

The Dual-Income Dilemma

Despite the rise of dual-income households, the division of household responsibilities remains unequal.

Some progress has occurred, but full equality is still a distant goal.

According to Treas, the partner who contributes more resources to a marriage often expects to negotiate their way out of unpleasant chores.

Surprisingly, when wives earn more than their husbands, they frequently do not leverage this advantage effectively.

Instead, they often end up shouldering an even greater share of household tasks, potentially compensating for a perceived violation of traditional gender norms.

The Impact of Children

Children significantly influence the distribution of household labor.

Many women choose to stay home or work part-time when they have young children and face heavy domestic demands.

In countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and Great Britain, part-time work is common, allowing women to balance family and work responsibilities more easily.

In contrast, in Southern Europe and former socialist states, where full-time jobs dominate, women often do not have the option to work part-time.

In these regions, women frequently take extended breaks from their careers when they have children.

Consequently, they tend to handle a larger share of housework. In the United States, however, women, including mothers of pre-schoolers, participate in the labor force at relatively high rates.

Many American women lack the government support systems that allow mothers in other countries to stay home.

As a result, they often must work to support their families, which leads to a unique dynamic where husbands are increasingly called upon to take on more household tasks.

The Role of Public Policy

Public policies also play a significant role in perpetuating gendered divisions of labor.

Many countries do not intentionally design policies that place the burden of household duties on women.

However, the lack of supportive measures for working parents often results in women taking on more domestic responsibilities.

For instance, without adequate parental leave or childcare support, women may feel compelled to prioritize home life over their careers.

In summary, while the division of household chores may seem like a personal decision between couples, it is deeply influenced by cultural norms, societal expectations, and public policies.

Despite the progress made in gender equality, many women still shoulder the bulk of domestic work.

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