EDMONTON — Women are still doing the lion’s share of housework years into their relationships, revealing an uneven gender divide that continues to linger, says new research from the University of Alberta.
A big gap in housework contributions that already existed for women surveyed at age 25 stayed the same to middle age, according to a study of 520 people, equally divided between the sexes.
“Once these patterns are set early in the relationship, they tend to persist,” says lead author and relationship researcher Matthew Johnson.
The researchers analyzed trajectories of the couples’ contributions to cooking, kitchen cleaning, grocery shopping, housecleaning, laundry and overall housework from ages 25 to 50 years.
They also measured who was doing household chores at ages 25, 32, 43 and 50, while raising children. There were no tasks where men did the most or even where the work was equally shared. When raising children, men also contributed less than normal to doing the chores.The findings fit with gender theories that suggest parenthood is an institution that reinforces traditional gender roles.
If people are unhappy about parts of their relationship, the study suggests that isn’t likely “going to naturally change over time,” Johnson says.
The study used data from the Edmonton Transition Study, which surveyed participants from youth to middle age over 32 years starting in 1985.
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To speak with Matthew Johnson, please contact:
Riley Tjosvold
University of Alberta communications coordinator
riley.tjosvold@ualberta.ca