Invisible Work: Women strike back
Summary
This episode explores the burden of invisible labor through three distinct lenses: Iceland’s 1975 Women’s Day Off, South Korea’s 4B movement rejecting beauty standards and marriage, and author Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play method for household equity. Featuring interviews with Icelandic activists, Korean activist Hae Shim, and Rodsky, the show highlights how making unpaid domestic and mental work visible is essential to achieving gender equality.
Topics discussed
Personal memories of the 1975 Icelandic Women's Day Off
Introduction to the concept of invisible work
Listener examples of daily mental load and household tasks
Eve Rodsky on the history and value of invisible labor
The perception of women's time vs men's time
The Red Stockings movement and early protests in Iceland
Planning and executing the 1975 Women's Day Off
Media reaction and the diverse participation of Icelandic women
Men's reactions and the 'Go Girls' anthem
Long-term political and social changes in Iceland
Sponsor segment: History of Ideas podcast
Haen Shim on beauty standards and appearance labor in South Korea
The Escape the Corset movement and rejecting beauty norms
Backlash, violence, and the rise of the 4B movement
The 4B movement's potential impact on birth rates
Eve Rodsky's Fair Play game and the 'Should I Do' spreadsheet
The 'Both Trap' and the mustard question
Why women must lead the change and male engagement
2025 anniversary screening and current challenges in Iceland
Conclusion and credits
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