Men would be happier if they did more washing up.
They would also be happier if they had more time with their children, according to a new study based on 6,000 couples.
The study found that, on average, men spent just over 22 hours a week on domestic labour and 44 hours on paid work.
For women the figures were 40 hours on domestic labour, 26 hours on paid work.
The researchers, whose report appears in the Journal of Happiness Studies, said: ‘Our results indicate men could experience increased life satisfaction if they spent more time on household responsibilities traditionally held by women – that is routine chores, and taking care of their own children.
‘Men may benefit from a more egalitarian division of labour within the household.’
The study was designed to looked at how the effects of gender equality pressure has affected division of labour.
Researchers analysed data from couples relating to four areas – routine chores, taking care of their own children, outdoor work, and paid work.
Routine chores traditionally carried out by women include preparing meals, washing dishes, cleaning the house, washing clothes, ironing, and sewing and shopping, banking, paying bills, and keeping financial records.
Men spent an average of seven hours a week taking care of their own children, but it was noted life satisfaction increased when they spent more time with their children and less at work.
The study showed that if men increased their shares of the household chores to around 20 hours a week and worked no more than 31 hours a week, they would be happier.