Final answer:
Gender roles have evolved over time, with married women in the 1990s doing less housework compared to the 1960s as men began sharing more domestic responsibilities, reflecting changes in societal attitudes towards gender equality and work-life balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question reflects how gender roles have evolved over time, especially in the context of marriage and household responsibilities. This change is indicative of societal shifts in attitudes towards women's work and domestic life. In the mid 1960s, married women in the United States devoted seven times as many hours to housework as did their husbands. By the mid 1990s, this figure decreased to twice as many hours. This pattern signifies a growing acceptance of shared responsibilities within the home and a movement away from traditional gender expectations.
Throughout the years, women have seen an expansion in their roles beyond that of caretakers. Changes in economic conditions and societal norms meant that many women joined the workforce, though often with the added burden of continuing to manage most household chores, known as the "second shift." Over time, there was a gradual increase in the number of men who began participating more actively in domestic tasks, though disparities remained.
Overall, this change in the division of domestic labor highlights the broader evolution of gender norms and the ongoing conversation surrounding work-life balance and equality between the sexes.