Chores: the truth about who does what in the modern family
We asked 1000 mothers who work outside the home who does what in their house - from cleaning and ironing to sorting out childcare and family finances. The results show that, even though they're employed, mothers are still picking up the vast majority of household tasks. Take a look at the key findings.
By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Apr 17, 2024
Women undertake an average of 10 hours of chores a week - twice as many as men
Fathers are responsible for changing lightbulbs in 56% of households (mothers in 18%; 25% share)
Fathers are responsible for DIY in 69% of households (mums in 11%; 20% share)
Fathers are responsible for pest control in 41% of households (mums in 33%; 25% share)
Cleaning, cooking and washing, on the other hand, mostly falls to mothers
71% of women are responsible for the weekly clean
77% are responsible for washing
70% of mums are responsible for cooking for the kids
63% do more tidying up
57% do all or most of the ironing
When it comes to household admin, women are doing the lion's share
50% of working mums are responsible for managing the family budget (15% of dads; 35% share)
43% are responsible for organising rent or mortgage payments (35% of dads; 22% share)
49% are responsible for paying utility bills (30% of dads; 29% share)
77% are responsible for buying family birthday presents
Mothers do most of the organising for children
• 82% of working mums are responsible for arranging childcare and/or school applications
• 88% manage routine health appointments (GP, optician, dentist etc)
• 91% are responsible for organising playdates
• 85% are responsible for organising birthday parties
• 80% are the first person the school calls if there's a problem
However, childcare activities are more likely to be shared equally
• 62% of parents both attend parents evenings
• 57% attend school plays equally
• 52% read bedtime stories equally
So ... what if partners did take on more responsibility? How would women use the extra time?
72% would spend more time enjoying family life
72% would use the time to pursue other interests
54% would do more around the house/garden
42% agreed they'd have more time for sex if their partner took on more of the household burden
75% think they'd have more time for each other and feel more appreciated
Yet, despite this, most women claimed they wouldn't want their partner to take on more. 66% said they didn't want their partner to do more around the house, despite the unequal distribution of responsibilities, either because they’re comfortable with the current balance, because it suits them to do the chores themselves, or because they believe that their partner would not perform them to the requisite standard.