Madison Reporter

As Mother's Day approaches on Sunday, May 12, experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison are available to discuss various aspects of motherhood, gender balance within families, and the significance of the day for different individuals.

Allison Daminger, an assistant professor in sociology at UW–Madison, has conducted extensive research on housework and childcare. Her studies have shown that despite societal advancements, women in different-gender couples still shoulder most of these responsibilities even when both partners are employed. Daminger's research focuses on "cognitive labor," which she defines as the work involved in anticipating household needs, identifying solutions, making decisions among options and monitoring results. She found that such work is highly gendered with women performing more cognitive work overall.

Daminger can be contacted at daminger@wisc.edu for further insights into her research.

Jessica Calarco, an associate professor of sociology at UW–Madison, is another expert who has studied inequalities in family life, education and health decision-making. Her forthcoming book titled "Holding It Together: How Women Became America’s Safety Net" delves into how women have become a crucial part of America's social safety net. The book is based on five years of research where Calarco surveyed over 4,000 parents and conducted more than 400 hours of interviews.

Calarco can be reached at jcalarco@wisc.edu for more information about her work.

Shilagh Mirgain, a distinguished health psychologist at UW Health, offers advice for those who find Mother's Day challenging due to personal circumstances or past experiences. Mirgain suggests reframing the focus of the holiday as a way to celebrate all positive attributes associated with motherhood. She also provides coping strategies for those who may experience disappointment or sadness during this time.

Mirgain can be contacted at news@uwhealth.org for additional advice or guidance.

For more experts on news and current events, visit the UW–Madison Experts Database.