Are men equipped to handle modern relationships?
This is the bold question Erin Spahr, a licensed therapist, asked in a viral Instagram video. The clip has sparked a conversation about emotional labor, intelligence and modern relationships. In her post, Spahr called out the imbalance in many marriages, particularly the mental and emotional load carried by women, and urged men to “catch up” in developing emotional skills such as empathy and communication.
“Today’s women generally want an equal partner who is present and shares the mental and emotional load of parenting and domestic labor,” Spahr wrote in the caption. “It’s no longer enough to simply be a nice guy who brings home a paycheck.”
The video has been liked by over 30,000 people. Spahr, 40, told Newsweek about her theory and why she thinks it is resonating with so many women.