Introduction

Dr. Alexandra explores the common underfunctioning/overfunctioning dynamic in long-term partnerships. She talks about why many couples fall prey to these roles, including cultural messaging and family-of-origin scripts, and she shares strategies for breaking free from this dance so that the relationship can feel more balanced.

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The Family Institute at Northwestern University:

https://www.family-institute.org/

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“Overfunctioning and Underfunctioning” by Dr. Will Meek:

https://willmeekphd.com/overfunctioning-underfunctioning/

“Women Aren't Nags—We're Just Fed” Up by Gemma Hartley (Harper’s Bazaar, September 2017):

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a12063822/emotional-labor-gender-equality/

“I Live With a Woman—We're Not Immune to Emotional Labor:

How LGBTQ couples navigate gender roles at home” by Trish Bendix (Harper’s Bazaar, October 2017):

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a12779502/emotional-labor-lgbtq-relationships/

Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky:

https://bookshop.org/books/fair-play-a-game-changing-solution-for-when-you-have-too-much-to-do-and-more-life-to-live/9780525541943?gclid=CjwKCAjwyryUBhBSEiwAGN5OCMpPV9pDU8oYDF4N2gccTwdOWo4hb8gHLsp3DfY1sTLi7IrxdD83YxoCGiQQAvD_BwE