A study in 2017 found that working mothers are more aware of the responsibilities of their children among working parents. This same study found that 63% of mothers are more willing to volunteer at school activities. And, that 71% of mothers ensure that household responsibilities are handled correctly. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found, in 2015, that women spend twice the amount of time on household chores, compared to their male counterparts.
David Steele is a prime example of a professional who has advocated for women’s rights and called the world’s attention on the invisible labor they are always supposed to carry out. David is a top relationship expert, entrepreneur, and public speaker. David’s insights on relationships and marriage for both men and women are inspired by his contemporary values and principles of making effort for a harmonious society.
Domestic
When we talk about the domestic burden, we refer to the inequality that exists in relation to household chores that women perform as compared to men. For example, childcare, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, home administration. It is estimated that women spend twice as much time on household chores when compared to men.
Emotional
The emotional charge was a term coined by the sociologist Arlie Hochschild in 1983 with her book “The Managed Heart.” In it, Arlie describes the emotional burden as “the way in which certain professions require emotional management.” Professions such as flight attendants or Customer service charges, for example, tend to fall into this category. In a recent interview for The Atlantic magazine, Hochshild was charged with demystifying the concept of the emotional burden that has gained increasing popularity over the years. Control our emotional expression, in order not to “disturb” or “cause inconvenience in another person”, our emotional load increases.
This is seen a lot in work scenarios, and the role of women in the professional field. As his assertiveness is seen as threatening and aggressive, which significantly limits his emotional expression. Consequently, impacting your well-being and mental health.
Mental
The mental burden refers to the famous “multitasking” that society glorifies in women. It can be evidenced in activities such as the constant reminder to others of their own responsibilities; the endless list of household chores; the burden of organizing family and social parties; the constant concern of sons and daughters and their schoolwork; among many others. Society glorifies us this exhausted invisible burden with its messages of “women can do everything.” But at what cost? How much of our emotional and physical health are we willing to commit to doing everything?
These charges do not appear overnight. They carry an inherently historical and social component. And, it is a symptom of patriarchal society: one that makes invisible and demerits the emotional, mental and physical fatigue of women. A symptom that, in my opinion, has two cures:
At a preventive level: In the way in which we visualize the parents who work to match the burdens and assume a co-responsibility in the upbringing of their children; as well as the raising of male children who assume their emotional responsibility.
At the intervention level: Opening open, respectful and clear dialogues with our partners to redefine these burdens. Constantly basing and reorganizing our own emotional relationships, in order to create a new common plan.