JOY Drive

11 Mar 2025

Dr Simone Buzwell: Housework

Kids & Family, Relationships

Housework! It is one of those everyday things that can quietly make or break a relationship. And despite decades of progress, the latest HILDA report shows Australian men are not doing any more housework than they were 20 years ago, while women are still doing 50% more. Now, new research from Swinburne’s Dr Simone Buzwell reveals just how much this imbalance is affecting women’s relationships—and even their desires.

And while much of the research focuses on heterosexual relationships, fairness in household labour is just as relevant in same-sex couples. Studies suggest that even in queer relationships, imbalances in housework can lead to dissatisfaction and impact intimacy. So, how do relationship dynamics and gender roles shape these patterns across different partnerships?

Guest: Dr Simone Buzwell, Senior Psychology Lecturer at Swinburne University

Presenter: Warren Andrew

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:30 — 15.8MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

5 Feb 2026

Jesse Matheson: Mardi Gras Cancels its After Party

LGBTIQA+ Community, Personal Safety, Popular Culture, Society & Culture

The cancellation of the official Mardi Gras after-party has raised big questions for festival-goers and the broader community. Jesse Matheson ...

5 Feb 2026

Professor Emerita Thea van de Mortel: Why We Get Sick as Soon as the Holiday Starts

Health, Natural Sciences, Places & Travel, Science & Medicine

Many people push through stress and deadlines, only to feel unwell the moment they finally stop. Thea van de Mortel ...

5 Feb 2026

Associate Professor Vincent Ho: Ultra-processed Foods Increasing Bowel Cancer Rates In Under 50s

Diet and Nutrition, Health, Science & Medicine

Rates of bowel cancer are rising in people under 50, and researchers are increasingly linking this shift to ultra-processed foods. ...