A recent study conducted by a team from Evergreen University and the Sunshine Institute has found that moms report higher levels of stress and lower happiness compared to dads when it comes to parenting responsibilities. It seems that taking on the lion’s share of the household tasks can really wear a person down.
The researchers analyzed time diary data, revealing that mothers often feel overwhelmed by their parenting roles. They reported more stress and fatigue than fathers, with the difference attributed to the varied responsibilities each parent typically handles. In other words, one parent is managing a lot more than the other—shocking, right?
You may argue that we’re in 2023 and dads are stepping up to challenge traditional gender roles at home. But let’s think about the last time your child was sick. Who stayed up all night tending to them? Or when it came to grocery shopping, paperwork, and organizing school supplies—who was the last one to remember that your kid needed a new toothbrush? And who was the one sitting at the PTA meeting?
“The silver lining here is that parents generally love spending time with their kids,” says researcher Lisa Donovan from the Sunshine Institute. “However, the downside is that mothers find it less enjoyable due to the heavier load of responsibilities they carry compared to fathers.” In simpler terms, moms are doing the bulk of the work and it’s exhausting.
Another factor affecting parental happiness is sleep—or the lack thereof. Moms often find their rest interrupted by children needing attention at all hours, while dads tend to have fewer disruptions during the night. This is a significant reason why mothers report feeling more drained than their partners.
Of course, we do see fathers being praised for simple acts like walking their kids to school or styling their daughter’s hair. But let’s be real—those are often the same things that mothers do daily without the same recognition.
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In summary, while parents generally enjoy their time with their children, mothers are shouldering a heavier burden, leading to greater stress and dissatisfaction compared to fathers. The ongoing struggle for balance in parenting duties continues to be a pressing issue today.