Gender Equality: Do Rich Husbands Feel Exempt From Chores?

Even in modern-day society, many still adhere to traditional roles despite pushes for gender equality. Oftentimes, this is particularly true in relationships. New findings published in the journal Work, Employment and Society examine how wealthier men may be less apt to deal with chores when in a relationship.

"There's a stark difference in couples' attitudes towards gender equality depending on how much they are earning," lead study author Dr. Clare Lyonette, from the Institute for Employment Research, said in a news release. "It seems men on lower incomes are happily picking up the dusters, filling the dishwasher and generally starting to do their bit. Times are changing and they acknowledge there's now a need for more equality in the home. But there's a different attitude when it comes to higher earners. We found that while men in these households do also recognize the need to help their partners, they remain reluctant to lift a finger and appear to simply throw money at the issue by hiring a cleaner instead."

For the study, researchers interviewed 36 partnered women and 12 partnered men for a project who all had at least one child under the age of 14.

Study results were a bit disconcerting as they showed that even in relationships where women were making equivalent the money of their partner or working just as often or more, they seemed to be doing the majority of the housework.

"And although men in general are starting to make themselves more useful around the house, regardless of income, the age old theory remains the same - women, on the whole, are doing the most," she concluded.

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