[lbo-talk] same-sexers share the housework

[Doug Henwood]

Psychology Today - November 18, 2004

<http://cms.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20041118-000004.html>

Household Bliss for Same-Sex Couples
Equitable division of labor and child care helps produce domestic 
peace and harmony in same-sex unions.

By Carlin Flora

While Americans wage a battle over gay marriage, the results of the 
first study on same-sex couples in civil unions indicate domestic 
peace and harmony.

The survey, which compared men and women in civil unions with their 
married heterosexual siblings (as well as with gay and lesbian 
friends not in civil unions), found that gays in civil unions 
reported a much more equitable division of labor and child care than 
did straight couples.

"Same-sex couples who have a difference in income still tend to share 
housework evenly," says study author Esther Rothblum, professor of 
psychology at the University of Vermont. "The nice thing about 
studying same-sex couples is that you can see whether the partner who 
makes more money does less housework, without worrying if gender 
socialization is a factor."

Past research has shown that among heterosexuals, cohabiting couples 
divvy up chores, but then fall into more traditional roles once they 
marry. Says Rothblum, "There is something about the institution of 
heterosexual marriage that encourages the pattern."