All work...We all know that Americans work a lot — but, surprisingly, new research shows that long hours of (paid) work have become a
marker of privilege, with white male professionals working significantly more than people of color, women, or workers in less prestigious fields. Work, not leisure, is the new status symbol. But these long hours can have serious consequences
for our health, and even our productivity, David Templeton writes for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Overwork has been linked to weight gain, substance abuse, stroke, and other physical and psychological symptoms. And, though Americans spend more time at the office than workers in most other countries, those hours don’t necessarily translate into increased productivity or profit. ...and no playDespite some workers' long hours, many Americans have more leisure time than in the past, a result of men’s
shrinking labor-force participation, the rise of retirement, and increased efficiency in household chores, The Upshot finds. The exception? Women, who are doing more work outside the home yet continue to do the lion’s share of household labor. Disparities like these lead to “time poverty”
for women in developing countries as well as richer ones, writes Melinda Gates. Reducing women’s burden of unpaid work would give them the time to pursue education, business ventures, and other new skills. Father knows best?Another important piece of the gender equality puzzle: dads need to step up, and policy needs to help them, Gary Barker and Elizabeth Weingarten
write for TIME following the release of Promundo’s new “State of America’s Fathers”
report. Though men want to be more involved caregivers, the report suggests, supportive policies and cultural norms just don’t exist. In an
accompanying video, dads share personal narratives and tell us why this issue matters. Upcoming Better Life Lab Events: Join Us!TODAY, June 14: Women on the Run. In the latest event in New America’s Women’s Decision series, Danny Hayes and Jennifer Lawless join BLL and the Political Reform Program to launch their new book
Women on the Run: Gender, Media, and Political Campaigns in a Polarized Era. Come to New America for a conversation on what campaign discourse gets wrong about female candidates and how to fix politics’ persistent gender gap. June 22: No Startup Left Behind. Join New America CA for a conversation with tech startups across San Francisco who have successfully navigated the challenging terrain of paid leave to find out how you, too, can create a policy that works in your
company, and why having paid leave is ultimately better for your bottom line. June 23: Care Documentary Premiere. Join us for the North American premiere of Care
at AFI Docs. The film delves deep into the world of eldercare — and how vulnerable we all are to the next economic crisis to hit our homes. That's a wrap for this week! We'll look forward to seeing your inbox again soon, but in the meantime, you can always find us on Twitter @BetterLifeLab. Have a great week!
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