Final answer:
The question focuses on how couples share workload in a marriage and its impact on marital satisfaction. It touches on added stresses like the birth of a child, particularly multiples, and the importance of work-family balance. Couples face various challenges that can influence their satisfaction, including changes in work circumstances and life goals over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks how couples share workload, particularly in the context of marriage and marital satisfaction. Sharing responsibilities, especially after the birth of a child, can significantly impact marital satisfaction and the overall happiness of both partners. In dual-career couples, a common concern is achieving a fair division of labor, which can be especially challenging with the added demands of childcare. The study referenced has couples rate their satisfaction with how childcare responsibilities are divided, with a focus on whether husbands are generally more satisfied than wives.
Marriages can enter a stressful phase upon the birth of a first child, and this can be exacerbated when multiples are involved. Couples with twins or triplets face a higher likelihood of divorce compared to those with single births. Cohabitation before marriage and other factors, such as evolving values and life goals as people age, can also affect marital satisfaction and the division of workload between partners.
Couples must also navigate work-family balance, which influences their relationships and household dynamics. It is essential for couples to communicate openly and share responsibilities equitably to maintain marital satisfaction and a healthy work-life balance.