Men who work from home tend to work more overtime, while women take on more household chores and caregiving.

Two-thirds of respondents in the British Social Attitude Survey (2017) believe it is better for mothers to stay home or work part-time if their children are young.

Mental overload ("mental burden") falls primarily on mothers, as they worry not only about the emotional well-being of their children but also that of other family members.

Mothers face a "triple burden": work, domestic care, and emotional well-being, which increases their risk of stress and mental health problems.

Men who work flexible hours earn more money, while women do not receive the same benefit (according to a study by Yvonne Lott).

More than a quarter of mothers surveyed in the UK reported negative career consequences due to flexible working (lower pay or fewer opportunities).

Only one in ten fathers reported negative career consequences from flexible working.

Nearly half of the fathers surveyed believed that workers with flexible hours create more work for others.

Flexible working can reinforce traditional gender roles: men extend their working hours and women increase their caregiving duties.

In Mexico, INEGI reports that women spend more than 30 hours per week on unpaid domestic tasks, while men only spend about 10. To promote gender equality in the home, I believe couples and children should talk about how to divide the chores regardless of gender.

ENCOURAGING SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IN CHILDCARE

Childcare in Mexico is usually seen as the mother's sole responsibility, but studies show that active fatherhood improves children's emotional and cognitive development. According to UNICEF, children with involved fathers perform better in school and have fewer behavioral problems. That is why I believe both parents should be equally involved in their children’s care, regardless of whether it’s the mom or dad.

ELIMINATING GENDER STEREOTYPES

Phrases like “girls clean better” or “boys don’t cry” reinforce inequality from an early age. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that gender stereotypes limit the development and opportunities of boys and girls and reinforce unfair social roles. That is why I believe we should recognize boys and girls for qualities like empathy, intelligence, or responsibility, and not just for their strength or appearance.

TEACHING ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY

Understanding what gender equality means helps people question unfair practices at home. UNESCO states that educating about gender from an early age promotes healthier and more respectful relationships. That’s why I think it is very important to have open conversations about gender, read books, or discuss news related to equality.

MAKING FINANCIAL DECISIONS TOGETHER

When only one person controls the money or makes financial decisions, power imbalances can occur. According to the World Bank, sharing financial responsibility strengthens relationships and family stability. That is why I believe couples who talk about their budgets, savings, and expenses are doing the right thing, and including children in simple decisions can help in their personal growth.

I talked to my dad about his opinion on gender inequality in Mexico. He told me that he believes there is a very noticeable inequality in the opportunities that men have compared to women. He said that, in his opinion, the best solution would be education. He gave me several ideas he would implement, such as holding talks about this topic at school and at home, and teaching how to prevent inequality. He also said it’s very important to eliminate gender stereotypes.

I talked to my mom about her opinion on the division of household chores and whether there should be shared responsibility in raising children. She told me it’s very important for couples to reach an agreement about who does what and that both partners must agree. Regarding children's education, she said that it is always better when it is balanced, and that each parent should take on the responsibilities they both think are necessary for raising their children.