Far from taking a vacation, the mental load of women, already very present all year round, increases during the holidays, confirms a new Ifop study published on Tuesday August 29.
Carried out for the Bons Plans Voyage New York website, the survey examines women’s mental workload, defying any idea that we could have vacations: 53% of those surveyed said they took more care of household chores than their spouse during their summer holidays, 39% believe they have done “about as much” and only 8% think they have done “less” than their spouse.
A relentless domestic burnout
For example, women were much more likely to take care of the laundry (69% against 11% of men). The preparation of meals also seems to have been largely the responsibility of women (48% against 28% of men)… except when it came to rubbing shoulders with the art of the barbecue, a situation in which 51% of men (against 25% of women) did not hesitate to take orders!
And the list of chores is far from diminishing when the end of the holidays arrives: suitcase to unpack, laundry to wash, school supplies to buy… So many tasks carried out for the most part by the women of the house. The prospect of a return to daily life and its problems is also a source of much greater concern among women (60%) than among men (47%).
Twice as many men feel rested
Added to this “domestic burn-out” is financial stress: “28% ended their holidays with less than 100 euros in their bank account, 9% even declaring that they ended their holidays uncovered”, underlines the survey. The men surveyed themselves recognize that they are twice as likely (56% against 28%) to feel more rested than their partner after the holidays, especially when the couples have left with their children.
Leaving without your family, the momcation revolution!
This is not the first survey to shed light on the mental load of women during the summer holidays and particularly that which weighs on mothers. The phenomenon is so widespread that it has even given rise to a trend that is being talked about more and more: momcation. An English portmanteau word that refers to mothers who decide to leave fathers and children alone for a break alone or with friends.
The idea? Make time for yourself and grow outside your role as a mother, for example by reconnecting with certain aspects of your personality. Above all, these “breaks” allow you to resume your daily tasks while having filled up on positive thoughts and experiences… Mums also need to breathe, and not just for a few days a year!
Ifop study carried out for Bons Plans Voyage New York from August 18 to 21, 2023 with a sample of 2,004 people, representative of the French population aged 18 and over, including 1,364 people in couples.
Slide: Illustrated Mental Workload
