"Men's time doing housework is about the same as it was in the 1970s, and that's true whether or not the woman earns more money or the man earns more money."
When women actively support one another by sharing information, recommending colleagues for opportunities, and amplifying achievements, they help counterbalance these structural disadvantages. These behaviours reflect what psychologists often describe as prosocial leadership—using one's position or influence to help others succeed.
For thirty years, I watched this woman explain every decision she made. Why she worked part-time when the kids were young. Why she went back full-time when they were older. Why she didn't want to join the PTA. Why she did want to take that art class. Always explaining, always justifying, always making sure everyone understood her reasons. Then she turned fifty, and it all stopped.
Putting on makeup. Like, we're supposed to disguise ourselves; otherwise, people think we didn't take this outing seriously, didn't care enough, or didn't act professionally. In some ways, beauty standards are social obligations. Keeping up with nails, clothes, hair, etc., that's almost an expectation in some relationships.
