Dr. Daniel Carlson joins Dave and Liz to discuss the division of household labor and its impact on marital satisfaction. From managing the mental load to ensuring fairness, Dr. Carlson shares research-backed strategies for balancing responsibilities at home. They explore the effects of the pandemic on gender roles, the importance of communication, and how couples can navigate household responsibilities to strengthen their relationships. This episode offers practical tips and insights for couples at all life stages, helping them foster mutual support and appreciation in their partnership.

#marriageadvice #householdchores #genderroles

About

Dan Carlson is an associate professor of Family and Consumer Studies at the University of Utah and a Senior Fellow at the Council on Contemporary Families. He is a public scholar whose research has appeared in numerous television, print, and radio media outlets. Generally, his scholarship examines the causes and consequences of the Second Demographic Transition in U.S. society with a particular focus on the gendered division of labor. Currently, he is conducting an NSF-funded study examining long-term shifts in U.S. parents' divisions of labor since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with parents' well-being.

Insights

• Daniel: "Don't overlook the division of labor. It may not be exciting, but discussing expectations with your partner prevents misunderstandings and keeps both of you on the same page."
• Liz: "Instead of work-life balance, think of work-life justice—respect and communication matter. A simple check-in like, ‘I won’t be home much this week, can we plan for it?’ can make a big difference."
• Dave: "You can divide responsibilities without dividing the relationship—it's all about give and take."

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