What is the key to a happy marriage?

London: Marriages last longer and couples are happier when husbands help with housework and childcare, a new research has revealed.

A survey of 160 heterosexual couples aged 25-30, with at least one child under five, revealed that the more men were involved, the better the relationship was for both partners, the Daily Express reported. It was found that about 40 per cent of the women also had full or part-time jobs. The study was carried out at Missouri University, where Professor Adam Galovan said that the chores did not have to be divided equally between the couples. Galovan said that sharing could mean something different to every couple and it could be taking turns changing nappies, or one parent watching the children while the other prepares dinner. He also said marriages were better when wives felt their husbands were close to their children. Galovan added that the more wives perceived that husbands were engaged in routine family tasks, the better the relationships for both partners. The study was published in the Journal of Family Issues. ANI