Are men and women putting in equal chore time?

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SALT LAKE CITY — Are guys really the lazy bums they're made out to be?

That's the question posed in a recent "TODAY Show" feature, which sought to uncover who really does more work around the house: husbands or wives?

For decades, traditional gender roles have put men in the workforce and women at home to do the cooking, cleaning and childrearing. But as roles have shifted over time and more women have entered the workforce, has the balance of housework also changed?

Though more women are likely to say no — that they continue to do the lion's share of the chores at home — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that more men are pulling their weight not only by helping around the house, but by working extra work hours at the office.

The latest cover story by "TIME" magazine reports, "According to the most recent data … on hours worked by women and men who are married, employed and have kids, the ladies are actually only putting in about 20 minutes more work (paid and unpaid) per day than their husbands."

In 2010, men and women who were married, childless and working full-time did almost the same amount of work: 8 hours 11 minutes for men, 8 hours 3 minutes for women — the smallest difference ever reported.

The key here is not what kind of work each spouse is doing, but how much time they're putting in that contributes to keeping the household running.

"What the numbers tell me (is that) compensated work at the office is just as important now as non-compensated work at home, whether it's done by men, whether it's done by women. They're making equal contributions in the best way that they can," clinical psychologist Jeff Gardere told "TODAY."

Despite what the numbers may say, however, for many couples, a day's work at the office does not equal a day's work at home. It still comes down to managing the household duties, and housewives don't clock out at 5 p.m.

In an article for the Huffington Post, relationship therapist and author Dr. Terri Orbuch writes, "In my long-term study of married couples, those couples who feel as though they are working together for the management of the house and that the division of tasks is fair are the happiest couples over time."

Among the top benefits of spouses sharing the at-home workload, Orbuch lists reduced conflict, increased happiness and more sex. "A man who invests time and sweat equity in the kids and home is signaling to his mate, on a very primal level, that he cares about her, wants to help her and that the home is important to him too," Orbuch says.

Fortunately for time-strapped couples, that division of labor doesn't have to be split down the middle. "It just has to be divided equitably, as seen by each spouse," Orbuch says. "In other words, each member should feel that their share of household responsibilities is fair."

What's considered equitable and fair may differ from one couple to the next, and that's OK. In fact, it's best to work out something specific so the needs of each spouse are met — so long as each spouse agrees and, above all, feels appreciated.

"Both partners want to feel like a team, and both want kudos for their hard work," Orbuch writes.

She offers strategies for spouses on how to best create housework equity: For wives, don't judge the way a man does a chore, and be specific with what you're asking him to do. For husbands, offer to help often, and if she doesn't give you a chore, find one.

"Once you arrive at a division of household chores that feels fair, a new sense of harmony will settle over your relationship," Orbuch says.

Email: lmaxfield@ksl.com