On behalf of Sparkman Law Firm posted in Business Law on Thursday, April 12th, 2018
A new study conducted by Harvard Business School suggests that as many as 25% of married couples end their relationship over chores. Can an uneven divide in cooking and cleaning really cause a rift in so many marriages? You bet.
“Disagreements About Housework” Ranked 3rd Leading Reason for Divorce in Study
The study, which included 3,000 committed couples, reported that arguments over who did what at home was the third leading reason for divorce. 35% of couples reported drifting apart was the primary reason they decided to end it, while 40% of couples said that infidelity is what caused their marriage to unravel.
The Gottman Institute suggests that housework is one of the six main arguments that most married couples have — right along with work stress, in-laws, sex, money, and a new baby. Gottman’s solution? Men should do more housework — in fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that only 22% of men reported doing chores, compared to 50% of women — and only 43% of men were involved in food prep and cleaned up compared to 70% of women.
What if Both Partners Are Busy?
Today, it’s not enough for one partner to work and one partner to stay home. Often, this does not afford married couples enough income to meet their needs. When both partners are working, this can make divvying up housework even more challenging.
Business Insider, citing the same Harvard Study, suggests that the solution may be more straightforward than demanding that one partner step up. When there’s just not enough time in the day, outsourcing chores and other menial tasks can help couples spend more quality time together.
Is Divorce Inevitable?
Often, there’s more than one reason a couple chooses to get a divorce. Housework may be the chief “cause” for some partners. However, any couple in the process of dissolving their marriage will give a laundry list of reasons they’re signing the papers. Sometimes, one partner making a concentrated effort to change one thing isn’t enough to salvage the rest of what unraveled in the relationship.
When divorce seems like the right option, it’s time to talk with an attorney about your options. Whether your reasons are housework, infidelity, drifting apart, or something else, you need a lawyer who will let you know where you stand and advocate for your best interests throughout the process.
Sparkman Law is a boutique firm dedicated to providing a personalized approach to each individual’s unique legal needs. Call today for a consultation at (813) 374-2000.
