Mental Load: The invisible burden

Today I would like to write about a topic that is very, or rather close to my heart - mental load!

I explored this topic intensively in my bachelor's thesis. The decision to dedicate my thesis to "Mental Load and Equal Parenting" stems from a deep feminist conviction and the desire to contribute to an important social dialogue. The phenomenon of mental load, particularly the burden on women caused by unequal distribution of tasks in families, is an often overlooked but crucial topic. The motivation behind my work lies in uncovering this invisible weight, which usually rests on women's shoulders, and at the same time, in seeking solutions to achieve a more equitable distribution of tasks. I am convinced that equal parenting can positively influence not only women's well-being, but also family dynamics and the development of children. This idea guided my research. I would like to share the results with you here as an introduction and in more concrete terms in subsequent blog posts!

But first of all: What exactly is mental load?

This term describes the invisible but pervasive burden many women carry when it comes to organizing and coordinating tasks in family life. Mental load goes beyond the visible, executive tasks. It encompasses the invisible mental work often performed by women, which is invisible and unpaid – the planning, organization, and coordination of various aspects of family life. This ranges from shopping lists and doctor's appointments to organizing children's school activities. This "mental backpack" is not always easy to recognize, but it significantly influences the everyday lives of the women affected.

Why are women particularly affected?

Traditional gender roles are still deeply rooted in many families. However, the roles of "sole breadwinner" and "exclusive household manager" no longer correspond to modern life. Nevertheless, it is often still the case that after maternity leave, women significantly reduce their paid work in favor of parenting, taking over the entire family organization, and thus bearing the mental burden, while men take on the complementary role, usually working full-time and thus having significantly less time for children and household chores. Societal expectations of women as "managers" of family life mean that many tasks and responsibilities automatically fall on their shoulders. This invisible mental work often goes unnoticed, but its physical and psychological effects are real and can lead to overload, stress, and exhaustion. The symptoms show clear parallels to occupational burnout syndrome... an alarming fact!

What do affected women report?

Many women I spoke with and interviewed for my bachelor's thesis were surprised, but also grateful, that there's a name for the stress they feel! YES, there is, and the term mental load is fortunately becoming increasingly popular! And YES, most women feel similarly in terms of perceived stress! You are not alone!!!

Many women report a constantly rattling head, a restlessness, a constant feeling of stress, and persistent exhaustion. Perhaps you recognize yourself, dear reader? (I deliberately didn't use gender-specific language here, but I would like to emphasize that there are also men who carry mental load!)

Why is it important to talk about mental load?

Awareness of mental load is the first step toward bringing about change. By talking about it and making the invisible work visible, we can work together to find solutions. A more equitable distribution of responsibilities within the family would not only be fair, but also crucial for the mental well-being of all family members. Studies also confirm this!

In my subsequent blog posts, I want to not only highlight the challenges, but also highlight possible solutions for achieving an equal distribution of workload and the positive effects that a better distribution of mental load can have. Children learn from what they see, and a balanced family structure helps break down rigid gender roles and pave the way for a more equal future.

Let us raise awareness of mental load together and find ways to bear the burden together.

See you next time!

Your Martina from LIONHERZ <3