Live-in lovers 'do more housework'

• August 28, 2007
  
  
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  Men who live with their girlfriends do more household chores than married men, a new survey suggests.
  
  Despite the fact that many modern men profess to being handy with a dustpan and brush and also believing that women's and men's roles in the house are equal, the institution of marriage seems to bring out the old-fashioned side in men.
  
  A survey of 17,000 people in 28 countries revealed that married men admit to doing less housework than men who are live-in boyfriends.
  
  The George Mason University study co-written by sociologist Shannon Davis suggests that once couples marry, the division of work changes.
  
  "Marriage as an institution seems to have a traditionalising effect on couples, even couples who see men and women as equal," says Davis.
  
  "Our research suggests that couples across many countries are influenced by similar factors when deciding how to divide the housework.
  
  "It's the way the society has defined what being married means, the institution itself, that affects behaviour."
  
  If you're looking for a partner who doesn't mind helping out with the housework, search for your perfect date!
  
  
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