Cognitive labor is sociological and feminist concept referring to the invisible mental work many women do in relationships and families.[1] It is related to invisible labor, emotional labor, and unpaid work[2] while emphasizing the cost of planning, organizing, scheduling, managing and worrying, in addition to "executing."[3][4] The distribution of cognitive labor falls disproportionately on women.[5] Handling the majority of cognitive labor is a burden that prevents women from pursuing opportunities or achieving greater health and happiness.[6] A recommendation for balancing cognitive labor is making it more explicit and visible.[7]

Cognitive labor is the mental planning, organizing, and scheduling side of invisible labor, done mostly by women.

References

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  1. ^ Daminger, Allison (2019). "The Cognitive Dimension of Household Labor". American Sociological Review. 84 (4): 609–633. ISSN 0003-1224.
  2. ^ Daminger, Allison (2019-09-19). "How Couples Share "Cognitive Labor" and Why it Matters". Behavioral Scientist. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  3. ^ "The Unseen Inequity of Cognitive Labor". Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  4. ^ Daminger, Allison (2024-03-04). "A Cognitive Labor of Love - by Allison Daminger". Behavioral Scientist. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  5. ^ Kecmanovic, Jelena. "Tired of Doing the Invisible Work in Your Family? | Psychology Today". Psychology Today. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  6. ^ Hogenboom, Melissa. "The hidden load: How 'thinking of everything' holds mums back". BBC. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  7. ^ Grose, Jessica (June 2, 2021). "Why Women Do the Household Worrying". NY Times. Retrieved September 20, 2024.