According to researchers, couples adhering to traditional gender roles at home engage in sexual activities 20 times more annually. On average, couples typically have sex five times each month.
However, partnerships where the wife takes on all household duties report having sex 1.6 times more per month on average compared to those where the husband performs all the traditionally feminine chores.
Earlier studies indicated that husbands gained more intimate time if they assisted with household tasks, implying that sexual activity served as a trade-off for housework.
Nevertheless, those studies did not consider the types of chores that men were undertaking.
‘Couples where men engage more in household tasks traditionally assigned to women tend to report lower sexual frequency,’ stated Dr. Sabino Kornrich, the study’s lead author.
‘In contrast, couples whose men engage more in typically masculine responsibilities…such as DIY projects and car maintenance tend to report a higher frequency of sexual activity.
‘Our results highlight the significance of socially constructed gender roles in relation to sexual frequency within heterosexual marriages.’
The researchers analyzed 4,500 heterosexual marriages in the U.S., with the couples averaging in their mid-40s.
The study conducted by the University of Washington, published in the American Sociological Review, indicates that embracing traditional gender roles plays a crucial role in sexual desire.
‘Our concept of attractiveness correlates with ideals of masculinity and femininity,’ Dr. Kornrich explained. ‘These ideals aren’t necessarily the most contemporary, which may reflect lingering traditional views.’
The researchers dismissed the notion that husbands who avoided household chores might be more coercive regarding sexual relations.
‘The reported satisfaction of wives in their sexual lives correlates to men’s involvement in household chores similarly to sexual frequency,’ Dr. Kornrich shared.
‘Had there been low satisfaction with sex but high frequency, it could have indicated coercive dynamics. However, we did not observe that.’
For men aiming to leave all responsibilities to their wives, a cautionary note was issued. ‘Men who decline to assist in household tasks could heighten conflict within their marriages and diminish their wives’ marital satisfaction,’ Dr. Kornrich warned.
‘Research demonstrates that women’s marital satisfaction is indeed associated with men’s involvement in overall household duties.’
by Susan Floyd
