I think the reason this issue is so common amongst couples is because women tend to be more domestically conscientious than men. So a domestic job like say, a carpet that needs vacuming, will enter a woman's awareness, long, long before it comes into the male's sphere of orbit.
I have male friends who live in all-male houses and females who live in all-female houses. The difference... well I'm sure most of you can imagine...
I'm moving in with a girl soon, (a friend) so to be I'm probably going to have to lift my game a bit. Previously I've lived in all-male houses.
In terms of the thread, if one partner is doing considerably more work and bringing in considerably more income, it seems only fair the other should shoulder more of the domestic burden. That's what division of labour is all about.
Is it burnin'? Well, f-ck, now you're learnin'.