Mother’s Day came and went last Sunday, with many a bouquet and breakfast in bed (even if some dishes may not have been cooked for quite exactly the right length of time).
Cards were made or bought—some sweet and sentimental, some goofy and comical—and many hugs and kisses were both given and received.
Mothers everywhere were given something of a break from their usual household chores, too. But we’ll note that federal statistics and other researchers shows that mothers still bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid homework. Between 1965 and 1985, the nation made great strides toward a more equal balance between men and women of paid work outside the home and unpaid work within. Then progress stalled. On average, single men do an hour less of housework per day after they get married. Women who marry end up doing more—seven hours more—housework than when they were single. So thank you for the lovely day. We enjoyed the pamperings, the cards, the extra hugs and kisses. The flowers are beautiful. But don’t forget to pick up your socks the other 364 days of the year.
