A man's housework output depends on job.

• Position: Your Life - Division of labor - Brief article

A woman's work is never done--or so the saying goes. Though women still do about two-thirds of household chores, the division of labor may depend on what her mate does for a living.

Research by sociologist Elizabeth McClintock of Indiana's University of Notre Dame shows that, when married or cohabiting men are employed in heavily female occupations--such as teaching, childcare work, or nursing--they spend more time doing housework, compared to when they are employed in traditionally male jobs. In addition, their wives or partners spend less time doing housework, compared to when the men work in heavily-male occupations.

Examining data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, McClintock also found that, when married or...