The burden of planning, organising, remembering, and anticipating household tasks, known as the 'mental load', disproportionately falls to women, particularly mothers, according to academics. This includes responsibilities such as remembering school trips, checking WhatsApp groups, and scheduling appointments.
A survey involving 3,000 US parents, conducted by academics at the University of Bath and the University of Melbourne, found that mothers handled 71% of household tasks requiring mental effort. These tasks included tracking when sheets needed washing and remembering food expiry dates. Fathers, in contrast, often handled more 'episodic' tasks, such as car servicing.
Clinical psychologist Natasha Wallace notes that many women experience stress from the constant demands of organising their households, leading to poor sleep, irritability, and decision fatigue. Parenting expert Anita Cleare suggests this cognitive drain can lead to burnout and may cause women to decelerate or stop their careers.
The disparity may stem from maternity leave, as women typically take longer leave than fathers, potentially establishing them as the 'default parent' early on. In the UK, mothers can take up to 52 weeks of statutory maternity leave, while fathers can take up to two weeks of paternity leave.