It’s no secret that compared to men, women do more household chores: an estimated three hours more each day, according to a global survey. Among mixed-sex couples, women will bear the brunt of the housework, including instances where both partners have full time jobs and even if the woman works longer hours. And in households that do strike a good balance, men are more likely to do more enjoyable chores, like gardening or entertaining the kids.
But what is less well-documented is how this imbalance creeps into our inner world — the invisible strain that sociologists refer to as mental load, or the cognitive and emotional effort that comes with being the family administrator. (In other words, the person who assumes responsibility for noticing problems, delegating tasks and managing emotions.) According to Leah Ruppanner, a sociologist at the University of Melbourne, it differs from cognitive labor by carrying emotional weight. ...
