A good topic for discussion, Keith. I agree with you that the domestic responsibilities in the family must be shared equitably. Especially if both spouses are employed. I also think that the division should be flexible, that is, to take into account the desires and inclinations of each. Someone likes to cook, someone to go shopping, someone to clean the house. The biggest problem, if someone does not like anything aforenamed, while the second will not sweet. And I think that in the domestic affairs woman - a conductor. That's my opinion, maybe not all agree with him. And you're right, it would be good to discuss all of this in advance. And yet it seems to me that the question of the distribution of household responsibilities among people who love each other, can not cause serious difficulties.

Добрый день , Keith! Очень правильное мнение !Семья - это огромный совместный труд , помощь и поддержка друг друга ! Я лично целеустремлённая , активная и энергичная женщина , не знаю лени и стараюсь от любой работы получать удовольствие и с радостью буду всё делать в тандеме с моим мужчиной . Думаю , что не смогу и без работы - чтобы вносить свой вклад в семью и постараться реализовать свои возможности , а также иметь авторитет в глазах мужа.

Growing up in my family, the men typically took care of the outside (yard, landscaping, shoveling snow, cars, garage, repairs, any heavy work, etc.) and the women managed the inside. Since there was one husband and three boys, my mother taught us how to do inside chores (cleaning, cooking, wash dishes, laundry, folding and ironing clothes, etc.) and then we helped her inside. Now, I do not think about who does what; I just get busy. If someone is not pulling their weight, we negotiate.  

I prefer to cook by myself. The kitchen is my territory. May be..sometimes... I like it when a man cooks at my kitchen, but it often causes a feeling of sadness and confusion))) It is evident that the man tries and immensely pleased with himself, maybe it's really tasty and beautiful. But... Look at him, teasing the spoon and don't know where to put, where to sit, where to look. The kitchen is mine. No partners 

Sharing is caring. That was a lesson I learned many years ago.

As for me I like cooking too. But I don't think that kitchen is only my territory. Ones I had a boyfriend and we liked to cook together. It is so funny and so romantic!!!  

Согласна. В действительности, каждая семья - это особый мир, отдельная вселенная, в которой действуют ее собственные законы. В моей семье обязанности между родителями не были четко разделены. У кого есть силы и время, тот и готовит, и так далее. Просто надо найти человека, который согласен принять на себя те обязанности и ответственность, которые Вы хотите на него возложить.

I agree, Katherine! If my wife came out to my garage to help me work on the cars, I would not know whether to wind my watch or look out the window! She could hand me tools but I would have to describe each tool to here! Now if she were to come out to the shop and sit with me while I worked on a project, that is a different story; I would have to put her in my lap and hug her for a while because she cared enough to come and just be with me. Who wants to work when you have that kind of girl!  

My parents never had conflict over who did what. They were in love until my father died; when one needed help, the other somehow knew and moved in closely beside the other to lend a helping hand. My mother rarely needed to ask. They were always there for each other, regardless. Being together was enough; working together was a joy. Part of sharing a life together is the fun of working together. Does not matter so much what we are doing together; only that we are together doing it.  

When it comes to long term successful couples, your parents did it right. They care about each others interests. It may be a thing that is not exactly what they particularly cared for or even like to do on their own. However, they show the strength of their character by displaying compassion towards their significant other because it is important to them.

Io non lascio entrare in cucina una donna mentre svolgo questa attivitá. Sono anche uno chef. Per il resto pago una per svolgere le faccende domestiche.
La mia compagna dovrebbe solo lavare pentole e piatti per due. Non é un gran lavoro. A tutto il resto penso io.