In most heteronormative relationships, even where household tasks are seemingly split equally, it’s more often than not the mother who takes on the lion’s share of this work.
In fact, in a survey of 2,000 parents conducted by parenting site Netmums, almost 75% of women claimed they did the bulk of childcare and housework, regardless of working hours or patterns.
While the majority of participants agree that men and women should do equal shares of household chores, only 20% of women think this actually happens – compared to 40% of men.
Of course, there’s no doubt that single parents face an even heavier burden. With lone fathers now accounting for 16% of lone-parent families, juggling the responsibilities of parenting, household management and work can lead to burnout and stress.
But it’s not just about who’s doing what – it’s about who’s making sure it all gets done, which is often known as the ‘mental load’. According to a 2024 study,…
