Key to Good Marriage: Do the Dishes

The keys to a successful marriage: Be faithful, have great sex and do the dishes.

So says a new survey of Americans, who have elevated helping with household chores to the level of fundamental requirement in a good relationship. Men and women shared similar views on the issue of helping around the house.

In the survey, 62 percent said helping with chores is "very important" for a successful marriage. That's up 15 percent from a similar survey done in 1990. Only sex (70 percent) and fidelity (93 percent) rank higher.

Ranking lower, in order: Finances, good housing, shared religious beliefs, having similar tastes, children and lastly, agreeing on politics.

The poll, announced today, was conducted by the Pew Research Center.

• How to Make Your Wife Happy
• The Keys to Happiness, and Why We Don't Use Them
• 10 Easy Paths to Self Destruction