Study: Hubbies that cook, clean have sex less often
This is what sexy looks like, according to a new study.
Husbands who routinely don aprons get less sex, according to a new study lauded by lazy married men.
The study in the American Sociological Review says husbands who spend more time doing traditionally female chores, such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping, report having less sex than those who partake “in traditionally masculine tasks — yard work, paying bills, and auto maintenance,” reports Agence France Presse.
The study looked at 7,002 straight, married couples in the United States. The median age of those in the study was about 43. Data used in the study was collected from 1992 to 1994. Researchers could not use more recent info because “to our knowledge, it is the only dataset with detailed measures of both sexual frequency and actual participation in household labor.”
Still, the researchers, two-thirds of which are female, concluded “display of gender is important for creation of sexual desire and performance of sexual activity.”
“Men or women may, in essence, be turned on (however indirectly) when partners in a marriage do more gender-traditional work.”
A female co-worker contacted for this story said, “That is complete [bleep].”
Wives in the study reported having sex 5.6 times per month; husbands 5.2 times per month.
Researchers are aware their conclusions conflict with earlier studies, but point out their study takes into account exactly what type of work is being performed.
“One key innovation [in the study] is that rather than consider all housework as identical, we separately examine men’s and women’s time spent in traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine tasks,” researchers wrote.
Unfortunately, researchers also concluded husbands who do nothing to help around the house may eventually live alone in a crummy 1-bedroom apartment stacked high with dirty dishes and empty pizza boxes.
“Men who refuse to help around the house could increase conflict in their marriage and lower their wives’ marital satisfaction,” said researcher Sabino Kornrich.
Other studies, however, have concluded “Couples Who Share Housework Run Higher Risk Of Divorce.”
Perhaps my not knowing my home contained a dishwasher, until it broke, is a good thing.
Other interesting tidbits alleged in the study:
- Men want sex more than women.
- Men are alleged to do only 20% of traditional home chores, but women are OK with that.
- Researchers believe “joint religious attendance is a good predictor of relationship quality.”
- A husbands’ participation in core housework increases their stress levels and makes them less likely to initiate sex.
- Wives do not “trade sex to men for doing what is traditionally viewed as women’s work.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
37 comments Add your comment
whipped
January 31st, 2013
1:09 pm
@ billy,
you see my dilemma
billy boy
January 31st, 2013
2:23 pm
@ whipped Absolutely!!!In my case it cost me 1/2 mil. it was worth it not just the other lady, but not being with the lady I married for 24 yrs.
Marianne
January 31st, 2013
6:49 pm
I have read all your comments, guys, and i know this may be hard to believe, but some of us women have husbands who show little to no interest in sex at all. I was married to one like this for over 15 years. I was like the woman in the picture, in this article. Traditional wife and mother who doted on my husband, catered to his likes and dislikes, wore sexy nightgowns, initiated it most of the time and if i was really lucky, once a month he would show some interest. I was told i was attractive by others, and really worked to make him happy, but he just had a low drive. In our culture, a wife complaining abt this was just not done, or you felt like a tramp. The wife chasing after her husband for sex was not to be talked about. Now, years later, and some 18 yrs after a divorce, he lives alone and seems happier. If he is celebate now, i wouldnt be surprised. I can relate to you men who feel disgruntled and cheated out of what you thought marriage was supposed to be. It’s really sad and hurtful. Your wives dont know how lucky they are that they have husbands who want sex with them.
Marianne
January 31st, 2013
6:52 pm
Before you suggest it: NO he was/is not gay. That, I could have understood.
A Good Baldheaded Man
January 31st, 2013
8:46 pm
Sorry, but the expression, “Nice guys finish last” exist for a reason. Women want every man, who they are NOT sexually involved with to be a nice guy. A buddy of mine used to say: nice guys’ shoulders are for crying not rubbing, lol.
Aside from sex, fortunately men are helping out more and the US has become a more egalitarian society. Unfortunately, simultaneously, women are losing interest in sex with the average guy because they are not as masculine as traditional men were. A lot of men complain about their lack of sexual satisfaction these days. Life is always a paradox.
no name please
January 31st, 2013
10:43 pm
I am married to a women like that. She would be happy if we never did it again and I did everything I could to show her I care and wanted her. I never cheated on her until I realized it is not cheating. If she does not honor her part I will not honor mine. Now after 19 years of marriage have a great girlfriend who gives me anything I want. The funny part is her husband never wants it from her. So I get what he does not want.
Mr_Mom
February 1st, 2013
1:22 pm
I’m a stay at home Dad and I can tell you I don’t get it that often.
Most of the time I just don’t feel mentally into sex… I mean sex, not getting my rocks off. I can do the latter real quick by myself where as “sex” requires intimacy. Intimacy requires my wife to want me, me to feel like my wife wants me and, although it’s not a requirement but is more conducive to intimacy, there should be no current conflicts/arguments between us.
The biggest issue is probably the second requirement, “me to feel like my wife wants me”. It’s hard to feel like my wife wants me when I’m home primarily because I can’t find a job! I stay home to take care of our 3 year old and I have always done 99.9% of the cooking. I love to cook, I’m grateful for the time I get to spend with my daughter. However, a man needs to work!!! I need to feel like I’m providing from my wife and family. The fact that its the other way around is a real cold shower when it comes to sex. I know I provide a valuable service to my family. Daycare now days cost between $600 and $1200 per a month! I’ve become content to stay at home and be “Mr. Mom” at least until my daughter gets old enough to start school. Still, men are hardwired to be the bread winners of the family and I can’t help but feel less of a man because I don’t work outside the house. I’ve considered taking a bullsxxt job that pays crap, however, it wouldn’t be worth going into work on a job making minimum wage because my pay would barely pay for the daycare.