How Sharing Unpaid Work Could Change the U.S. Economy and Your Life

Think about what your life would look like if unpaid work—those endless household chores, caregiving duties, and community responsibilities—was shared equally between you and your partner. Imagine how much lighter your days would feel, how much more time you'd have to focus on your career, your passions, or even your well-being. In this world, your contributions outside the home wouldn’t be overshadowed by the constant demands of unpaid labor. You would finally have the space to explore your full potential, and the ripple effect of that balance could transform not only your life but the entire U.S. economy.

This isn’t just a far-off dream. When unpaid work is shared more equally, everyone benefits—especially women. It's time to think about what’s holding you back and how leveling the playing field at home could unlock untapped potential, not just for you but for millions of women across the country.

You Shoulder the Burden of Unpaid Work

Right now, if you're like many women in the U.S., you’re spending an average of four hours every day on unpaid work—whether that's cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, or looking after elderly family members. Meanwhile, men, on average, spend only 2.5 hours a day on the same tasks. This imbalance means you’re often left juggling a "second shift" after your paid job, leaving less time and energy for your career, personal development, or even rest.

It’s a cycle that keeps holding you back. The more time you spend on unpaid work, the less time you have for paid work, and the harder it becomes to advance professionally. If men shared this workload with you equally, you’d have more time to invest in yourself and your career. And the economy would benefit too.

The Hidden Value of What You Do

Have you ever thought about how much your unpaid work is worth? Let’s put it in perspective: If we valued your time at just $15 per hour (about what a professional housekeeper or caregiver earns), your unpaid labor would contribute an estimated $21,900 every year. Now multiply that by millions of women across the country, and the total value of this unpaid work reaches $1.66 trillion annually.

That’s $1.66 trillion of unrecognized labor keeping families, communities, and the economy running. Imagine if half of that time—roughly $830 billion worth—was freed up for you to invest in your career, your passions, or simply to rest. Sharing this load more equally could be the key to unlocking not only your personal potential but also that of the entire economy.

What Would Happen If You Didn’t Have to Do It All?

When you’re less burdened by household tasks, you could fully step into your career, take on new challenges, and pursue leadership roles without the constant tug of unpaid work. In countries like Iceland, where men and women share unpaid labor more equally, women’s participation in the workforce has contributed to stronger GDP growth and narrower gender pay gaps (World Economic Forum, 2018).

Imagine what that would mean for you. With just a little more time, you could pursue a promotion, take on bigger projects, or even switch to a higher-paying role without sacrificing your household responsibilities. According to the International Monetary Fund, if the U.S. were to unlock the full potential of women in the workforce, the GDP could grow by 5-10%, adding hundreds of billions of dollars to the economy.

Closing the Pay Gap Starts at Home

One of the reasons you might be earning less than your male counterparts is because of the time you spend on unpaid work. On average, women earn between 80-85% of what men make in the same jobs. Why? It’s partly because you’re often juggling two jobs—one paid and one unpaid—and that limits your ability to work longer hours, pursue promotions, or engage in professional development.

But if men shared unpaid work with you equally, you’d have more time to focus on your career. You could work more hours, take on more responsibility, and push yourself toward higher-paying roles. With this shift, you’d see your income rise, and over time, this could help close the gender pay gap, giving you and your family greater financial security.

Your Life, Rebalanced

When unpaid work is shared equally, it doesn’t just benefit you—it benefits everyone. Imagine coming home at the end of a long day without the weight of household chores pressing on you. Your evenings would be freer, and your relationships stronger. Research shows that when men take on a more equal share of household work, they report higher levels of satisfaction and lower stress. You and your partner would both feel the benefits of a more balanced, resilient lifestyle (Journal of Family Psychology, 2013).

Families thrive when the workload is balanced. Your children would see a household where caregiving isn’t tied to gender, setting a healthier example for future generations. Sharing unpaid work leads to happier, healthier relationships, and it gives you the space to pursue the things that truly matter to you.

How Equal Sharing of Unpaid Work Would Transform Your Life

• More Time for Career Advancement: Imagine having two extra hours every day to focus on your career. Whether you want to pursue a promotion, develop new skills, or explore leadership roles, that extra time is invaluable. This could be especially transformative for you if you work in demanding fields like law, healthcare, or technology, where time is often the deciding factor between growth and stagnation.
• Reduced Time Poverty: Do you ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? That’s time poverty—when you’re stretched too thin between work, home, and everything in between. Sharing unpaid labor would relieve you of some of that pressure, giving you more time to recharge, invest in yourself, and ultimately, reach new heights in your career.
• Greater Financial Security: With more focus on your career, over time you are likely to see an increase in your earnings. More money in your pocket means more stability for your family, more savings for the future, and the ability to invest in your personal goals, whether it’s furthering your education, securing a better future for your children, or simply enjoying life a little more.
• Better Health and Well-Being: The constant juggle of unpaid and paid work can be draining—mentally, emotionally, and physically. By sharing unpaid labor more equally, you’d experience less stress, better health, and more time to focus on your own well-being. It’s about feeling good again, and who doesn’t want that?

Will Sharing Unpaid Work Affect Your Partner’s Earnings?

One question you might ask is whether sharing unpaid labor could negatively affect your partner’s income. Yes, they might spend a little less time at work, but that doesn’t mean your household income will drop. In fact, as you take on more paid work, the balance could shift in your favor, with your combined earnings growing stronger.

Also, studies suggest that men who share unpaid work enjoy a healthier work-life balance, which can actually improve their productivity and job satisfaction. Your partner might spend fewer hours at work, but the time they do spend could be more effective—and that can benefit your entire family.

Creating a Better Future for You and Your Children

Imagine the kind of world your children would grow up in if unpaid labor was shared equally. They’d see both of you working together to manage the household, breaking down gendered expectations that can limit future generations. Your daughters would grow up knowing they don’t have to carry the entire load, and your sons would understand that caregiving is as much their responsibility as anyone’s.

As your family life becomes more balanced, your workplace will need to adapt too. You will want to work for a company with policies that support a better work-life balance—like flexible schedules, paid family leave, and subsidized childcare. As companies start to realize the value of women, policies like these will become more common, benefiting both you and your partner. A more balanced home leads to a healthier, more productive workforce.

Policies to Help You Share Unpaid Work

• Paternity Leave and Family Leave Policies: Countries that offer paid paternity leave see higher levels of unpaid work shared by men. If the U.S. introduced more supportive family leave policies, it could encourage your partner to take a more active role in caregiving from the start.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible schedules and remote work options give you and your partner more control over your work-life balance. With more flexibility, both of you can share household responsibilities without sacrificing career progress.
• Subsidized Childcare and Elder Care: Access to affordable childcare and eldercare would lighten the load for both of you, freeing up time and energy for paid work and personal development.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Changing cultural attitudes starts with education. Public campaigns that show the benefits of sharing unpaid work—both for families and the economy—could help shift expectations and encourage your partner to take on more at home.

A Vision for a Balanced Future—For You

The benefits of sharing unpaid work equally would ripple through every part of your life. You’d finally have the time and energy to focus on your career without being weighed down by the constant demands of household chores. You’d see your income grow, your stress levels drop, and your relationships improve. And as you thrive, the economy thrives with you.

At Here I Am, we believe in supporting you as you reclaim your time and well-being. Our self-care products, sourced from women-owned businesses, are designed to help you recharge and focus on what matters most (hint: it's your well-being). You deserve to thrive—not just survive—and we’re here to walk with you on that journey. Together, we can build a future where balance is within reach for every woman.