Study reveals key to happy marriage is equal division of housework

I just received this press release that reveals the findings of a study that focused on the roles of dads today. Interesting statistics, just in time for Father's Day. Read below for an excerpt:

New ManoftheHouse.com Study Explores Changing Roles of Dads in the Family

CINCINNATI, June 17, 2010 —Just in time for Father’s Day, a new study reveals how America’s dads are feeling about their ever-expanding roles in the household, and how that shift in responsibilities is affecting their relationships with their spouse or significant other. In a survey of more than 1000 fathers, a whopping nine out of ten (91%) agree that when they share household chores equally with their significant other, they get along better. The survey, conducted by the new online destination for dads, ManoftheHouse.com (http://www.manofthehouse.com), illuminates just how much fathers want to contribute at home, and how they see their relationships improve as a result of that contribution.

Dads Fulfilled More By Family Than Career Success

In addition to the boost their relationships might enjoy, dads are also very personally fulfilled by taking care of their family, and even more so than by having a successful career. Approximately three out of four (73%) report a sense of fulfillment from taking care of their children. Other top sources of fulfillment include financially providing for their families (68%), and having a successful relationship with their significant other (63%). Significantly fewer fathers said that having a successful career gave them the same sense of personal fulfillment (51%).

Dads Want to be Better Caretakers of Home and Family

As traditional roles at home have morphed in the last generation, American dads are wearing more hats than they ever have – certainly more than their fathers did. Some never thought they’d be full-time dads, packing lunches or driving a mini van. Many men have not only accepted, but embraced the new era of fatherhood and they are seeking out the information they didn’t learn from their fathers.

“At ManoftheHouse.com, we know how much fathers care about taking care of their homes and families and how they are increasingly turning to the internet for information on how to do all the things they are expected to do these days,” said Craig J. Heimbuch, editor in chief of Man of the House. “Man of the House was created as a guide for the jack of all trades trying to be better at work and at home, as a father and as a husband.”

Nearly half (48%) of married dads report a fulfilled feeling from learning how to do new things around the house, such as cook or do home repairs. And, about one in three fathers would be interested to learn more about advanced home renovation (35%), basic home repair (33%) or landscaping and gardening (33%). Dads also admit they’d like some assistance with parenting tasks, such as shopping for school clothes or supplies (41%), talking to their child about important issues (39%) or planning family outings or trips (37%).