Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

by Sheryl Sandberg

When husbands do more housework, wives are less depressed, marital conflicts decrease, and satisfaction rises.27 When women work outside the home and share breadwinning duties, couples are more likely to stay together. In fact, the risk of divorce reduces by about half when a wife earns half the income and a husband does half the housework.28 For men, participating in child rearing fosters the development of patience, empathy, and adaptability, characteristics that benefit all of their relationships.29 For women, earning money increases their decision-making ability in the home, protects them in case of divorce, and can be important security in later years, as women often outlive their husbands.30 Also—and many might find this the most motivating factor—couples who share domestic responsibilities have more sex.31 It may be counterintuitive, but the best way for a man to make a pass at his wife might be to do the dishes.