How do we value (unpaid) house work?

I recently read an interesting report that I received from the founder of Cake.com, because based on the analysis they did, they made a study about the relationship to the difference in pay. This research and the topics I dealt with afterwards inspired me to write this article/newsletter issue.

So let's get started!

Pay Gap Between Men and Women in the Same Job Positions

Numerous studies reveal the persistent issue of gender inequality, particularly in the context of the pay gap between men and women in similar job roles.

The study utilized Clockify, a time-tracking app, to analyze the division of household chores among couples. 21 couples participated, tracking their activities from November 15 to December 15, 2023.

If you look at a state of Gender Inequality, women predominantly handle tasks like meal preparation, house cleaning, and childcare, while men often contribute more to maintenance and grocery shopping.

Some of the interesting facts and opinions included that 70% of respondents don't assign chores based on gender, indicating a shift from traditional roles. However, remote, hybrid, or onsite work models significantly influence household chore distribution.

So, I would conclude that while gender norms still influence domestic labor division, there's progress towards a more balanced distribution. Men are increasingly involved in household responsibilities, reflecting a positive trend in bridging the gender pay gap.

Unpaid House Chores and Their Value

This section highlights the undervaluation of unpaid domestic work and its impact on gender dynamics within households.

The study employed Clockify to track the time spent on various household tasks among 21 couples over a month, aiming to understand the distribution of unpaid work.

Women dedicate more time to tasks like meal preparation, house cleaning, and childcare, while men tend to focus on maintenance and grocery shopping.

Despite the already mentioned fact that 70% of respondents claim they don't assign chores by gender, traditional gender roles still influence task distribution. Moreover, work models (whether remote, hybrid, or onsite) significantly affect the time allocated to household chores for many respondents.

In conclusion, although progress is evident, traditional gender norms persist in influencing household chore distribution. Recognizing the value of unpaid work is crucial for promoting gender equality and redistributing household responsibilities.

Family Relations in the Context of Rare Diseases

This section delves into the dynamics of family relationships when dealing with rare diseases, emphasizing the unique challenges families face.

As a new layer of complexity, there are experiences of families dealing with rare diseases, drawing insights from interviews and case studies.

Families dealing with rare diseases often experience heightened emotional and financial burdens. They must navigate complex healthcare systems while managing day-to-day responsibilities.

Family support plays a critical role in coping with rare diseases. However, caregivers may experience stress and burnout, affecting family dynamics.

Despite the challenges, families affected by rare diseases demonstrate resilience and solidarity.

Support networks and access to resources are essential for fostering positive family relationships and improving overall well-being.