The research, carried out in the United States, revealed that mothers are responsible for 71% of all mental load tasks in households.
The holiday season, which involves selecting gifts, sending cards, and organizing Christmas dinners, often feels like an overwhelming list of mental tasks. A new study from the University of Bath and the University of Melbourne, published in the Journal of Marriage & Family, shows that mothers predominantly handle this “mental load,” while fathers frequently play a lesser role. This issue isn’t limited to the festive season; it is a constant every day of the year.
The term “mental load,” also referred to as “cognitive household labour,” encompasses the planning and organization needed to maintain family life. This includes tasks like scheduling and managing various responsibilities.
This study, which surveyed 3,000 parents in the US, discovered that mothers manage 71% of all the mental load around the home. These responsibilities include meal planning, coordinating family activities, and handling household finances.
Key Findings
- Mothers carry most of the mental workload. Mothers are responsible for 71% of household mental load tasks, significantly outpacing fathers, who handle only 45%.
- Distinct contributions from mothers and fathers. Mothers take care of 79% of daily activities such as cleaning and childcare, which is over double the share of fathers, who manage 37%. Fathers often handle sporadic tasks, including finances and home repairs (65%), while mothers also contribute a notable amount (53%), leading to some overlap in responsibilities.
- Fathers may overrate their involvement. Parents frequently overestimate their contributions, with fathers doing this more than mothers. Many fathers view household mental load as being shared equally, contrary to mothers’ perspectives.
- Single parents manage everything themselves. Both single mothers and fathers fully shoulder the mental load, with single dads particularly doing much more than their partnered counterparts.
This research emphasizes individual parental roles rather than examining couples together; hence, it reflects personal views rather than a cooperative understanding. It encompasses various family types, including LGBTQ+ and single-parent households, making the findings applicable to diverse configurations.
Dr. Ana Catalano Weeks, a political scientist at the University of Bath, stated:
“This type of work often goes unnoticed, yet it is significant. It can cause stress, burnout, and affect women’s careers. Often, it leads to growing resentment, straining relationships. We hope our findings encourage discussions around a fairer distribution of the mental load, benefiting everyone involved.”
The unequal division of mental workload affects not just home life but also influences women’s roles in the workplace and society. A recent Gallup survey indicated that working mothers are twice as likely as fathers to think about reducing their work hours or quitting their jobs due to parenting duties.
Dr. Catalano Weeks added:
“Looking ahead, the challenge for governments and employers aiming to attract top talent will be how to implement policies that support both mothers and fathers in sharing unpaid household work. One effective policy could be well-paid, gender-neutral parental leave, an area where both the UK and US lag behind Europe.”
This Christmas, if you’re curious about who is shouldering the mental burden, it’s likely mum. The researchers advocate for families to start conversations about the mental load, devise a plan, and work collaboratively to achieve a better balance during the holidays and all year round.
