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With Christmas over, the endless rounds of dish washing, clothes washing and floor washing will no doubt be getting on top of some individuals.

But if you're lucky enough to have a partner who shares the household chores, you are most definitely on to a good thing.

According to new research, those couples that divide the housework are happier than those trapped in the breadwinner or homemaker roles.

Apparently neither partner should be taking on more than 60 per cent of the housework or childcare if they are looking to stay together forever.

It seems the traditional family, in which the husband provides while the wife cares for the children and the home, is no longer the key to a long and happy marriage.

While the working husband feels under pressure to put food on the table, his missus is left feeling unfulfilled and vulnerable.

In fact, the Canadian researchers, having analysed national surveys of nearly 50,000 adults, discovered that the happiest couples are those who share the daily chores, both work and either have no children or older children who do not require constant care.

Frank Furedi, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, told the Daily Mail: "This research shows that it is very important for both parties to have something in their lives from which they derive a sense of independence and accomplishment.

"But if in addition they do things in common – which could be the domestic chores or the childcare – it creates a bond that facilitates closeness, communication, emotional warmth and, most importantly, trust."

Bonding over the washing up... now there's something we'd never thought of.

Does sharing the chores work for you, or are you happy to take on the more traditional housewife role?