NPR

'All The Rage' Isn't About Moms Having It All — It's About Moms Doing It All

Psychologist Darcy Lockman says there's been progress since the 1950s, but equal partnerships are a long way off. Her book All the Rage explores uneven distribution of childcare and domestic labor.
"We go into parenting expecting something like parity ... but it doesn't manifest," says psychologist Darcy Lockman. "Our expectations are really not being met and that leads to a lot of anger."

Darcy Lockman conducted interviews with 50 women about the division of labor in their households, and she heard a lot of anger and a lot of gratitude. The gratitude concerned her — here's why:

"It was actually a way of walking back their own anger," she says. Women would express legitimate grievances and then say: "But I know women who are in worse situations, so I don't want to complain too much."

In her new book, Lockman demonstrates why women have every right to complain. All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership explores how American mothers and fathers are far from 50/50 when it comes to childcare and domestic responsibilities.

Women told Lockman they were grateful their husbands weren't as badhusbands. "That attitude really stops women from advocating for themselves as fully as they might," Lockman says. "There's always going to be someone whose husband is doing less."

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
Which Scientists Get Mentioned In The News? Mostly Ones With Anglo Names, Says Study
A new study finds that in news stories about scientific research, U.S. media were less likely to mention a scientist if they had an East Asian or African name, as compared to one with an Anglo name.
NPR2 min readWorld
Israel Strikes Iran, U.S. Official Says; Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets' Is Here
Israel has launched a strike against Iran, a U.S. official tells NPR. Taylor Swift's highly anticipated "Tortured Poets Department" is here.
NPR2 min read
Tesla Recalls Cybertruck Over Sticky Problem. Blame It On — Yes — Soap
Accelerator pedals on the new Cybertrucks can get stuck, a potentially dangerous production flaw. The reason why they're so sticky is soap.

Related Books & Audiobooks