Establishing Household Roles: Tips for Couples | Dr. Julie Hanks | #119

Feb 10

Today on Stronger Marriage Connection, hosts Dr. Liz Hale and Dr. Dave Schramm sit down with Dr. Julie Hanks, a licensed therapist specializing in marriage and family therapy. They discuss the challenges couples face when dividing household labor and how to create a fair and equitable partnership. Dr. Hanks introduces the concept of a partnership model of family organization, emphasizing the importance of communication, shared responsibility, and recognizing invisible work. Listeners will learn how to navigate traditional gender roles, reduce resentment, and establish healthy household dynamics to strengthen their relationships.

About Julie:

Julie de Azevedo Hanks holds a PhD in marriage and family therapy and is a licensed therapist specializing in the intersection of faith, family relationships, and women's mental health for 3 decades. She is the owner of Wasatch Family Therapy, author of The Assertiveness Guide for Women, host of Ask Dr. Julie Hanks podcast, adjunct faculty in the MSW program at Utah Valley University, and an online content creator.

Insights:

Julie: "Unpaid work is just as valuable as paid work. Recognize and appreciate both in your relationship to avoid unnecessary division."
Liz: "Balance division of labor without creating division. The work doesn’t end when the paid job is over—how you divide responsibilities at home matters."
Dave: "Beyond paid and unpaid work, there’s the mental load—planning, worrying, organizing. A simple ‘thank you’ for that unseen effort goes a long way."

Julie's Resources

Website: DrJulieHanks.com

Social Media: @DrJulieHanks

Books & Resources: The Assertiveness Guide for Women & Fair Play by Eve Rodsky

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