Majority of Under-appreciated Household Chores Remain Assigned to Females, According to Poll - Majority of Unpleasant Household Tasks Regularly Assigned to Females in 7 out of 10 Homes
Title: Unfair Division of Household Tasks: Survey Reveals Women Still Carrying the Burden
Most people believe that DIY furniture work and grilling are tasks for the boys. Only 7% of men believe grilling is a woman's job in their household.
A third of women feel that chores are shared equally in their relationship, but 38% of women in multi-person households wish for more support from their partners in tidying up. 36% yearn for some help with cleaning from their partner.
67% of surveyed women, and 50% of men, perceive a lack of fairness in the division of tasks in their immediate environment. However, 72% of men and 65% of women think gender equality in private relationships has improved over the past decades.
At least in the kitchen, there seems to be some improvement. Nearly a quarter of women in multi-person households report that men now do most of the cooking, with 41% of men stating they usually prepare meals.
- Women
- Domestic Duties
- Gender Equity
- Household
- Laundry Partner
Insights:The surveys conducted during 2024-2025 illustrate a gradual shift towards gender equity in household labor, yet striking disparities remain. Women still shoulder the brunt of routine, time-sensitive chores, such as cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and laundry, dedicating around 3.5 hours daily on average, contrasted with men’s two hours[4]. Men are more inclined towards sporadic or flexible tasks, including DIY activities and outdoor jobs like grilling, which can be scheduled at convenience[2][4].
| Task Type | Who Does More? | Details/Notes ||------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| Cooking | Women | Women take on more cooking, part of routine, daily chores[2][4]. || Cleaning | Women | Women handle cleaning, a daily, time-sensitive task[2][4]. || DIY/Repairs| Men | Men are likely to handle DIY and repair tasks, flexible in timing[2][4]. || Grilling | Men | Outdoor activities, like grilling, are male-dominated[2][4]. |
Perceptions and norms are evolving, with more than 70% of U.S. teens favoring equal responsibility for household and childcare tasks, although current practices lag behind these ideals[1]. Yet, even when men contribute, their involvement is often deemed "helping," rather than true co-responsibility[4].
Conclusion:The survey concluded that the division of household chores remains biased towards women, who still put in more time on daily, routine tasks like cooking and cleaning, while men gravitate towards flexible tasks such as DIY, repairs, and grilling. The mental and emotional labor burden primarily rests on women[4][2]. As norms shift toward equity, practice must follow suit, especially among younger generations to achieve genuine gender equality in the home[1][3].
- Despite a gradual shift towards gender equity in household labor, the surveys revealed that women continue to bear the brunt of routine, daily chores such as cooking and cleaning, dedicating around 3.5 hours daily compared to men’s two hours.
- A striking disparity persists in the allocation of tasks within households, with women often performing tasks like laundry, while men lean towards sporadic or flexible tasks like DIY activities and outdoor jobs like grilling.
- The survey also found that when men contribute to household tasks, their involvement is often labeled as "helping," rather than true co-responsibility, indicating a persistent imbalance.
- Appreciating the importance of lifestyle, family dynamics, and relationships, it's essential to advocate for a more equitable distribution of tasks at home, encouraging men to participate in routine chores and acknowledging their contributions.
- As we strive for a better understanding of household dynamics, it's encouraging to see the younger generation embracing the concept of equal responsibility for household and childcare tasks, paving the way for a more balanced home-and-garden landscape in the future.
