Every day on social media, I see debates about 50/50 relationships—who should pay for what, who should cook and clean and what a man’s and woman’s roles should be.

I’ve never subscribed to that rhetoric because, in reality, relationships require 100% from both sides. Yet, the 50/50 mindset persists because it sounds reasonable: you contribute your half, I contribute mine and together, we make a whole.

But the problem with the 50/50 mindset is that it often leads to imbalance, particularly for Black women. Human nature makes us biased about our contributions. We tend to think we’ve done more than we actually have, believe others have done less than they truly have and assume our efforts are more valuable than they are.

In a 50/50 relationship, this means both partners often feel like they’re pulling more weight, leading to resentment. And when you add in gender roles and societal expectations, Black women almost always end up carrying an invisible workload that goes unrecognized and unreciprocated.

This invisible labor is not just about housework. It’s being the emotional glue in a relationship, the family mediator, the one who ensures birthdays aren’t forgotten and the person who takes on the mental load of running a household. It’s being the friend who always checks in, the sister who smooths over family conflicts and the colleague who steps in to support others while juggling her responsibilities.

Black women don’t just carry emotional labor in our homes— we carry it in the workplace and in our communities. We are expected to be the nurturers, the problem-solvers, the “strong ones” who uplift everyone else. We often pour into our partners, children, friends and even our workplaces without receiving the same energy in return. This expectation is so ingrained that even when we’re drowning, people still come to us to be saved.

The toll of this unpaid, invisible labor is real. It leads to burnout, stress, anxiety and even physical health issues. Many Black women suffer in silence, feeling exhausted but unable to step away from the roles society has placed on us. The expectation of being the emotional backbone for everyone else leaves little time for self-care, rest, or personal growth. It is a slow and silent drain on our well-being—a “slow death” that isn’t immediately visible but deeply damaging over time.

The solution isn’t just about shifting expectations in romantic relationships. It’s about changing the way we view labor, period. It’s about recognizing that Black women should not have to be the default caretakers of everyone’s emotions. It’s about men stepping up in financial contributions and emotional and mental labor. It’s about shifting the narrative that Black women are “built to endure” and acknowledging that we, too, deserve softness, rest and care.

If you have a Black woman in your life—whether she’s your partner, friend, mother or colleague—ask yourself: are you expecting her to be strong for you while neglecting her own needs? Are you assuming she’ll “handle it” without offering to lighten her load? Are you recognizing her contributions, or do you take them for granted?

To break this cycle, we must unlearn the traditional expectations placed on Black women.

Many of us grew up seeing our mothers and grandmothers shoulder the burden of running a household, often without complaint. For eldest daughters, we were expected to step up and help raise siblings, reinforcing the idea that our worth is tied to how much we do for others. But being a good partner or parent does not mean doing everything alone. The first step is recognizing where these beliefs come from and challenging them.

Many partners and family members don’t realize the weight carried because they’ve been conditioned to see it as normal. Having open and ongoing conversations about household responsibilities can help shift these dynamics. Delegation is equally important. Rather than assuming responsibility for every task, create shared systems—whether that means dividing chores based on schedules and preferences or ensuring children take on age-appropriate tasks.

Setting boundaries is crucial.

Many Black women feel guilty for saying no, but prioritizing our mental health is not selfish—it’s necessary. We were whole people before becoming caregivers, partners or employees and that person still deserves care. If we don’t set boundaries, we risk burning out, building resentment and continuing the very cycle we’re trying to break.

Laura O. is a dynamic emcee, host, and digital media professional. For more than a decade, she has dedicated her career to amplifying the voices of Black communities and other marginalized groups, promoting diverse narratives, and fostering spaces where authenticity thrives. She is an AmeriCorps New American Integration Program 2013 Alumn, a 2016 Journalism And Women Symposium Fellow, a 2024 Report For America Alumn, a recipient of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation’s Robert L. Vann 2021 Award for Excellence in Written Journalism/Magazine, and was named one of the Top 20 Rising Stars by the Professional Association of Young Africans (PAYA Houston) in 2022.