As you will observe this is probably the thousandth time Marge and Phil have had this fight. Why do they persist in locking horns over who is the bigger martyr, and in the process, persist in driving themselves crazy?? Why don't they just get their act together, split up the jobs, get their kids involved, hire help and do it! They both claim their physical and mental well being are at stake!
So, what's really going on here?
Obviously, cleaning the house is not the issue. If so they could have solved it a long time ago. Marital conflicts about management of the home frequently mask unresolved attitudes about male/female roles. Phil may passionately proclaim that a man is as equally responsible for maintaining the house as a woman, but, like many men, the little boy in him might still expect to be taken care of. He wants to come home and be greeted by a smiling wife, a clean house, and a hot meal.
On the other hand, it's difficult for many women to get out of the role of playing critical parent. She experiences the burden and responsibility for the house and is angry that he doesn't share it. She nags, he resists. Phil can't say no without Marge feeling abandoned and Marge can't ask for five minutes more without Phil feeling like he married a slave driver.
