ParentData with Emily Oster Household Division of Labor: Making the invisible work fair, if not equal
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Feb 15, 2024 In this podcast, they discuss the invisible labor in households and the inequities in the division of visible work. Guest Eve Rodsky offers solutions to rebalance workloads and save marriages. They also explore strategies for improving the division of household labor and the need to make invisible work visible. The hosts share anecdotes about interruptions, responsibilities, and dealing with groceries. They discuss the benefits of Hello Fresh and the sponsorship by Framebridge. Lastly, they talk about how making a list of household chores can help appreciate partners and understand responsibilities.
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Invisible Labor Is Mostly Unseen
- Invisible labor includes the unseen tasks like remembering appointments, making calls, and coordinating logistics, not just visible actions.
- Women, especially in heterosexual couples, often shoulder most invisible work, leading to resentment and relationship strain.
Eve Rodsky’s Breakdown Moment
- Eve Rodsky shares her experience of feeling abandoned by workplace, school, and spouse after having children.
- A memorable moment was her husband's failure to pick up a drunk man's jacket from their lawn, symbolizing unequal household responsibilities.
Invisible Work Hidden from GDP
- Unpaid household labor done by women is not counted in GDP, unlike paid work or outsourced tasks.
- Society designs this to rely on women's unpaid labor, undervaluing their time and economic contribution.