Daily Disputes

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Friday 20th May 2011: The most inflammatory household topics are revealed today in a study of 3,000 couples and their arguments over the course of a year, with ‘not listening’, money, housework and snoring all making the tiff top ten(1).

The research by esure home insurance shows that every third day couples are arguing as a result of failing to pay proper attention or ignoring their other half (112 arguments), followed closely by over-spending on impulsive or unnecessary purchases (109 disputes) and what to eat for dinner resulting in a big barney almost twice a week (92 disputes).

Other top causes of quarrels include the bills, what to watch on television and getting home late from work, while snoring leads to 102 sleepless nights and squabbles, each year.

Nikki Sellers, Head of home insurance as esure, said: “The fact of the matter is that bickering on a daily basis is all part of being in a normal, healthy relationship. Unfortunately, our research suggests couples are actually rowing up to seven times a day and although it can be about the smallest things, this does seem quite a lot.

“But the normal co-habiting couple will have to put up with each other’s daily annoyances – even if things such as housework, what to have for dinner, cleanliness and the television can prove to be very irritating.”

The study also found that the average couple will argue about disciplining their children 88 times a year – and have a further 79 disputes about spoiling them. Housework is a big cause for contention – as living in a dirty house leads to 90 arguments a year, while 88 rows are about dirty washing and 80 are about one half walking mud into the house. The results further reveal that 105 arguments – that’s nearly three a day – are simply about who doesn’t pull their weight with the chores and cleaning.

Other issues which worry couples and often lead to a spat are when to have sex, and the feeling that one half is taking the other for granted. Even simple things such as who should cook the evening meal and getting in the way when someone is cooking can end with a disagreement. Interestingly, 69 arguments a year are because one person fails to say “I love you” enough.

Unfortunately, the study shows the average couple’s argument doesn’t always stop at a war of words – as a third admit they follow a verbal attack by crashing and banging their way around the house. 15 per cent even admit to venting their anger by slamming cupboard doors, while 31 per cent crash doors shut as they travel between at least two rooms during the course of their argument. Seven per cent have even been known to smash sentimental or personal objects amid their frustration.

Nikki Sellers further added: “With everyone leading such busy and hectic lifestyles, it’s not surprising that finances, not listening to your partner, or pulling your weight around the house can lead to a row between couples – all of which make an appearance as one of the top reasons behind an argument. “It’s important to remain calm during an argument and not to end up making any silly mistakes – like forfeiting your home contents insurance because finances are tight, as this could in the long term just lead to another daily dispute.”


BREAKDOWN OF ARGUMENTS

Per year

One of you not listening                                                         112
Over spending                                                                      109
Money                                                                                 108
One of you not doing any housework                                     105
One of you snoring                                                              102
The bills                                                                              98
What to eat for dinner                                                          92
One of you driving too fast                                                   91
Walking past stuff that needs taking up the stairs                   90
How dirty the house is                                                          90
What to watch on television                                                  89
Disciplining the children                                                         88
Dirty washing left around the house                                       88
When to have sex                                                                87
Taking each other for granted                                                84
How late the children should stay up                                       83
Getting home late from work                                                  82
One of you not hanging the washing out if the machine stops   82
One of you getting in the way when you’re cooking                  82
One of you walking mud around the house                              80
Spoiling the children                                                              79
Who should cook the evening meal                                         79
Swearing in front of the children                                             79
Not closing cupboard doors                                                    79
Parking the car                                                                      77
One of you not answering the phone during the day                  76
One of you failing to say please/thank you                                75
One of you not saying “I love you” enough                                69

TOTAL ARGUMENTS PER YEAR = 2,455


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esure’s press contacts:
Asia Yasir, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@esure.com
Visit the media centre: www.esure.com
An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.

Notes to Editors:
(1) SWNS conducted an online research survey via Onepoll which interviewed a random sample of 3,000 couples aged 18 and over between 10th and 15th May 2011.