Forget equality, mums are still doing all of the household chores, a study has found.
Instead of everyone mucking in, 81 per cent of mums say they still take care of all the cleaning and tidying in their homes.
Before having children, 45 per cent of women said their household chores were shared equally between them and their partner.
But after the birth of their first child, 42 per cent of men admitted they helped out less once their first child arrived.
The independent national research commissioned by home appliance brand, Indesit was carried out to support Indesit’s new #DoItTogether campaign that aims to encourage families to share household chores and highlights the benefits of every member helping out around the house.
Family Psychologist Emma Kenny, said: ‘The happiest and most harmonious families are those who feel they are a team, and that’s why it is important to make sure that every member is doing their bit.
“The secret to carrying out chores lies in doing them together. This makes the whole process simpler, quicker, more effective and even fun.
“An added bonus is that parents set excellent gender role models for their children by both getting involved in household chores.”
The study of 2,000 adults found before children arrived, household chores such as cooking, shopping, cleaning up after dinner and cleaning the house were shared equally in a relationship.
Stereotypical male jobs as gardening and DIY jobs, including painting and decorating were also both being enjoyed together.
But after having children, the only chores men kept up with were taking out the bins, shopping for the family and clearing up after dinner.
And almost half of fathers (43 per cent) admitted they no longer do household jobs like painting and decorating.
Studies have shown getting children involved with household chores is not just good for giving mum and dad a rest but also directly aids development.
Author and former Standford University dean Julie Lythcott-Haims, cites that household chores help kids build responsibility, autonomy and perseverance – traits necessary to becoming capable adults.
Almost half (45 per cent) of children surveyed as part of the Chore-equality report stated they ‘liked to help my parents’, followed by almost a quarter (20 per cent) who said it ‘will help me when I’m older’.
But while the research did highlight the chore inequality that still pervades in many British households, mums were using a myriad of techniques and tricks to get the rest of the family helping out.
Top tricks to get the family to do more included ‘paying them’ (32 per cent), ‘offering a takeaway’ (24 per cent) and ‘buying sweets’ (22 per cent).
More than one in twenty mums even ‘drew a cartoon’ and ‘sang songs’ to get kids to help out.
Ian Moverley, Brand Communications Director at Indesit added: “It’s surprising that in this day and age household chores still seem to end up with mum.
“We hope with this campaign we inspire families to help out a little more and have fun in the process.
“Our products are designed not only to be fast and efficient but easy to use so everyone can operate them.”
For more information on the Indesit’s new #DoItTogether campaign visit: http://doittogether.indesit.co.uk/
