For years, emotional labor has been framed as a women’s issue. The term usually points to moms who remember birthdays, manage moods, and keep the household running smoothly. That story is real, but it is not the whole story.
New research shows that men carry emotional labor too. They just carry it differently, and often in silence. The work shows up in long-distance fatherhood, tense dinner table talks, late-night budgeting, and the quiet effort to keep everyone steady.
The Hidden Work of Long-Distance Fathers
A 2025 study looked at Pakistani migrant fathers living in Italy. These men left home to earn money, while their families stayed behind. On paper, they were providers. In reality, they were also emotional anchors.
These fathers spent hours on video calls, helping with homework, giving advice, and calming fears from thousands of miles away. They managed their children’s worries while hiding their own. When illness struck back home or a child cried during a birthday call, the fathers felt helpless and ashamed for not being there in person.
The emotional toll was heavy. Many reported loneliness, guilt, and deep sadness. They missed weddings, religious festivals, and everyday moments that glue families together.
To cope, some leaned on faith and the idea of fate. That inner dialogue became its own kind of emotional labor. They had to steady themselves so they could steady everyone else. They worked two jobs, one for income and one for connection.
Modern Fatherhood Comes With Pressure
Yan / Pexels / A major 2025 study describes fatherhood as ‘care labor.’ It includes money, yes, but also emotional presence. That presence is hard to give when work demands grow and time shrinks.
Many men reported feeling pulled in opposite directions. They felt pressure to earn more, yet also pressure to show up more at home. That tension led to three common strains, like emotional distance from family, constant inner balancing, and confusion about how to connect with their children.
Some fathers admitted they did not grow up seeing hands-on dads. They wanted to be different, but they lacked a clear model. That gap created stress and self-doubt.
The research also showed that men are not passive. They try to fix the problem. Some practice cognitive shifts, telling themselves to focus on small daily moments. Others watch how friends parent and copy what works.
Many talk openly with their partners to negotiate who handles what. That negotiation is emotional labor, too. It requires patience, restraint, and honest conversation.
This effort often goes unnoticed because it does not look dramatic. It looks like a father asking how school went, even when he is exhausted. It looks like learning how to braid hair from a YouTube tutorial after work.
Emotional Labor and Men’s Mental Health
Cotton Bro / Pexels / A 1997 study examined couples with young children and found something striking. Women’s depressive symptoms rose when they carried more emotional work. Men’s symptoms rose for a different reason.
Men felt worse when their partners disagreed with their estimate of housework. That disagreement signaled something deeper. It pointed to tension, misalignment, and the stress of managing perceptions inside the relationship.
In other words, men were not just affected by chores. They were affected by the emotional strain of feeling misunderstood or criticized. That strain can chip away at self-worth over time.
The researchers argued that treatment for depression should address the division of labor, including emotional work. This is not just about who cooks dinner. It is about who absorbs stress, who smooths conflict, and who carries the mental checklist.
