Division of housework harbours potential for conflict

The division of housework is a frequent source of conflict in partnerships. Women of working age spend around 13 hours a week on cooking, cleaning and washing, significantly more than men, who usually only spend half of this time on household chores. This imbalance can not only put a strain on the atmosphere in relationships, but also increase the risk of conflicts or even break-ups.

But what is the situation regarding the division of tasks for various household activities in German households? And what factors inhibit or promote a more balanced distribution of household chores? The FReDA Policy Brief ‘Shared, fair, satisfied?’ by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) has analysed the division of housework in partnerships and the effects on relationship satisfaction.

Discrepancy between ideal and reality

Regardless of the proportion of gainful employment that partners take on: A large majority of the working-age population would like to see an equal division of housework between partners. However, people very often fail to realise this aspiration. Even couples who practise a symmetrical division at the beginning of their relationship often revert to an unequal division as soon as the first child arrives and compatibility problems become apparent.

Gender-specific responsibilities

The division of housework between partners differs not only in terms of quantity, but also according to the type of work. Around 80% of couples living together report that the man is primarily responsible for repairs, for example. Women, on the other hand, are often responsible for regular routine tasks such as laundry (in 71% of couples, the woman is responsible for this), cleaning (66%) or cooking (58%). For couples with children, this distinction in activities is even more pronounced.

Unequal division promotes dissatisfaction

Both partners often consider the division of housework between men and women to be as fair as possible. Women in relationships organised in this way are on average more satisfied than those who live in a partnership with an unequal division. Inequality in the division of housework, on the other hand, often leads to a greater burden - and for many women to a strong sense of injustice. Around one in five women in partnerships with asymmetrically shared housework think about ending the relationship.

Parenthood is the toughest test

The transition to parenthood in particular can be a trigger for the unequal distribution of housework. As soon as children are part of the household, women are much more likely to take on a large proportion of the routine tasks. This unequal division of labour then often becomes entrenched over time.

Reduce the burden on women, encourage men's commitment

A roughly equal division of housework not only corresponds to the ideal of most people in young and middle age in Germany, but is often also an important basis for stable and happy partnerships. However, more supportive framework conditions would be important for realising this, especially at the beginning of the family phase.

"It would be crucial to provide support by relieving the burden of housework on couples - and therefore women in particular. This could be achieved through external offers, such as the promotion of household-related services or the family budget agreed in the coalition agreement, which could be used to pay for everyday helpers for families with small children or relatives in need of care, for example," says Dr Leonie Kleinschrot, co-author of the study.

Flexible working time models could also make it possible for women and men to pursue both gainful employment and family responsibilities: ‘It should be easier for fathers in particular to be actively involved in family and housework from the outset and to a greater extent than before,’ adds co-author Dr Detlev Lück.

The full policy brief "Fair, shared, satisfied? Sharing housework in relationships" (german) can be downloaded here.