A Startling Proportion of Americans Still Don’t Believe in Gender Equality at Home

On Monday, theNew York Times reported that while Americans are, by and large, accepting of and even happy with workplace gender equity, the gender division of at-home work is viewed quite differently.

The General Social Survey (a multi-generational study that started in 1977) found that while two-thirds of the general population (and three-quarters of millennials) are accepting of gender parity in the workplace, 25 percent of the population still feels that it’s important that women take on the bulk of other (read: unpaid) at-home work.

This “other” work — the cooking, cleaning, child rearing, and general household management often associated with stay-at-home parents — tends to fall on women’s shoulders, whether or not we’re working full time. That additional, often unacknowledged workload can add up to more than 100 hours of combined in andout-of-office work. The expectation that women take on this unpaid and socially undervalued work could be the main reason why the gender gap in career and compensation exists at all. It also means that, in terms of paid compensation for hours worked, said gap is probably much wider than we tend to acknowledge.

Stubborn perceptions of gender could be why our expectations of men and women’s roles are so different. According to a 2017 study on gender differences published by the Pew Center, even though more than 60 percent of Americans think men and women are equally capable at work, we believe that men and women are vastly different when it comes to emotional capability, physical strength, and even what our hobbies might be.

Though women (and most Democrats) surveyed said they understood that the pressures that women faced were more likely based on societal norms than biology, the men (and a majority of Republicans) surveyed said that it was a woman’s genetic makeup that created gender differences in housework, physicality, and general ability, even though science says otherwise.

“You can believe men and women have truly different natural tendencies and skills, that women are better nurturers and caretakers, and still believe women should have equal rights in the labor force,” Barbara Risman, a sociology professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and one of the study’s authors, told the Times.

But this push for women to bear the bulk of the domestic workload could be at least one major cause of our persistent gender-correlated wage gap. Women are still paid, on average, 20 percent less than male counterparts, and the chasm only widens for women of color. And due to increasing child care costs and little to no social family support policies like mandatory paid parental leave, women are dropping out of the workforce in droves — a phenomenon that may be reinforcing stereotypes that women are best suited to at-home work, to begin with.

And lest you think that these issues are only facing middle- and low-income families, even women executives are expected to bear the brunt of the at-home-work from their male spouses. In an essay for Medium, Denise Duffield-Thomas, a financial coach and author, writes that her husband’s hesitancy to pull his weight around the house gave her little choice but to seek, and pay for, outside help in his place.

Even former First Lady Michelle Obama agrees that “having it all” is a myth, telling a crowd that the now-infamous Lean In mentality of Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg, “doesn’t work all the time.” But if we’re not leaning in, and we can’t lean out, what can be done?

The World Economic Forum says the only way to close this gap is to get more women working, with more equitable pay, and have government supports in place for both child and senior care so that women can offload some of the care workload without fear of life crumbling around us. (Oh, and fellas: Pick up a damn broom.)

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Blake Lively is as multifaceted as they come. She's an actress who has starred in titles like Gossip Girl, A Simple Favor, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (plus the upcoming adaptation of It Ends With Us). She's the founder of Betty Buzz, which has a variety of non-alcoholic mixers that taste just as good on their own as they do with liquor. And, she's also a mom. Lively has been outspoken about protecting her children from the paparazzi, making rare public appearances with them for events like her husband Ryan Reynolds' Hollywood Walk Of Fame Ceremonyandcozy date nights.

When Lively and Reynolds seemingly announced the birth of their fourth child last year, we melted. Here's everything you need to know about Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's kids.

How long have Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively been married?

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Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have been married for 14 years as of September 9, 2024. And the couple remains closer than ever. "Blake and Ryan are a great team when it comes to both their family and work," a source told People. "They're super supportive of each other. He's very proud of her. They have a great marriage and love to celebrate everything they created together."

The couple got married in 2012 at a former slave plantation in South Carolina, a location that the couple is "unreservedly sorry for," Reynolds told Fast Company in 2020.

How do Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds support each other?

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds love to support each other at their movie premieres, but it goes way deeper than that. "He works on everything I do, I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his," Lively tells E! News. "The iconic rooftop scene [in It Ends With Us], my husband actually wrote it."

At the New York premiere for the new Blake Lively movie, Blake and Ryan shared a moment that proves they belong together. While heading to talk to People on the carpet, Blake Lively leans over and grabs Ryan Reynolds' butt. And the funniest part is that Ryan doesn't even turn around.

"He didn’t even react because It happens so often," one user jokes in the comments, while another says, "I love the respect that they have for each other - with love! Yes that her man!"

What gender is Ryan and Blakes 4th child?

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On July 26, Ryan Reynolds confirmed that he and Blake Lively's fourth baby, born in February 2023, is a boy in an Instagram video supporting mental health charity Walking 4 Hope. Speaking with founder John Bell, who struggled with suicidal ideation after the 2020 loss of his son Jake, Reynolds says, “I want to share with you that I, too, have a son...Boy, John, if I love him one-tenth as much as you love Jake, I’ll feel like I’ve done a pretty d—mn good job.”

The Deadpool actor also recently offered some parenting advice on Amanda Hirsch’s hit podcastNot Skinny But Not Fat. "Embrace the chaos,” he tells Hirsch. "[Blake] always says, ‘They're all under our roof right now. The whole family's under our roof right now. We have them all.’ And that is a fleeting thing. Not an infinite resource, you know?”

While Reynolds understands firsthand how overwhelming parenting can feel, he also doesn't wish away this time with four young kids: “Just say, ‘Think about what you would give in 40 years or 30 years to come back and enjoy this one moment.’"

What is the name of Blake Lively's 4th baby?

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' fourth baby is named Olin, which he revealed during the July 22 premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine!

Before Ryan chose to reveal the name, he appeared on the Today show and made a cheeky joke about it after the hosts urged him to spill the beans. He said, "We always wait for Taylor to tell us what the child's name will be. We'll say this: we're still waiting."

What has Ryan Reynolds said about raising their kids?

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In a conversation with Hugh Jackman ahead of Deadpool & Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds opened up about how his family has helped his anxiety. "I think it makes it better because your focus is less on yourself and more on your kids," he says (via People). "I love that I've had anxiety because when I see my kids experiencing some of that, which is probably genetic, I know how to address it in a way that is compassionate, that actually allows them to feel seen. I know that I can't just fix it. And I can communicate all that stuff to them and with them. I'm always grateful for it."

Per People, Ryan Reynolds has also made it clear he and Blake are wholly invested in the kids' daily lives. The doting husband and father enjoys the moments of "walking them to school and walking them back" as it deepens their bond. More than anything, Ryan and Blake's main goal is to make sure they teach their kids how to be introspective with Ryan saying, "...that's the thing we sort of hang our hat on the most is self-awareness with our kids."

However, that doesn't mean Blake and Ryan don't absolutely love being parents. "We're very excited [and] we wouldn't do this four times if we didn't love it," he says in an interview with CNBC's Power Lunch. "Everybody's doing great. Everybody's actually doing fantastic. I think if we hadn't figured it out by now, I think we'd be in deep, deep trouble."

"It's a zoo over here," he jokes. "This is my office here, this is where I'll probably — to be honest, I'll probably spend the rest of my life in here."

We love how much energy Ryan and Blake are pouring into their kids. It's always beautiful when parents are able to be present with their kids and teach them how to be present with themselves. Ryan Reynolds has also mentioned how having daughters "has been such a ride." Since he comes from a family of all boys, having daughters is something that was beyond his wildest dreams! “I love being a girl dad,” Ryan tells Access in 2020. “I have three daughters, which I never in a million years would imagine.”

He mentioned his newest child in June of 2023, when he announced his new series Bedtime Stories. "The idea for a show made to help everyone fall asleep was born the same day as my fourth child," he says on Instagram.

Did Blake Lively have a 4th baby?

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Blake Lively posted a pic on Super Bowl Sunday showing what appears to be a post-baby body with the caption "Been busy."

Lively confirmed her fourth pregnancy in September 2022 when she arrived at her Forbes event in NYC cradling a baby bump and by posting her own personal photos on Instagramhoping that "the 11 guys waiting outside [her] home for a 🦄 sighting will leave [her] alone."

How do Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively prioritize their kids?

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Blake Lively recently joined an episode of her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' costar Amber Tamblyn's Further Adoand revealed the one unbreakable rule she made with Ryan Reynolds.

“When Ryan and I got together, we made a rule not to work at the same time,” she says. “So that we could always prioritize our personal life...That takes working really hard when we're not. Just like financial planning and sustaining that; it takes balance.”

I love that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are serious about their family life, and that they have identified what works for them and are sticking with it.

Is Taylor Swift friends with Blake Lively's kids?

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Yes, Taylor Swift loves Blake Lively's kids! At the Philadelphia show of the Eras Tour, in which Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively attended, Taylor said hello from the stage.

One funny detail about Ryan Reynolds' kids that I love is when he mentioned the girls finally realized Taylor Swift was a popstar. "I think what's most exciting for them is that for the longest time they just thought Taylor's just like an aunt, like a friend of Mommy and Daddy that's very, very close, almost family," he tellsThe Jess Cagle Show. "And then they went to a concert one day and were like, 'Ohhhhh, this isn't a hobby.'"

For Super Bowl Sunday, Blake Lively joined Taylor Swift to support beau (and KC Chiefs tight end) Travis Kelce. "Last week I left my kids for the first time ever," she says on Instagram. "I took pictures upside down and had no clue. I treated a friendship bracelet like a Flat Stanley for my husband like I didn’t realize it wasn’t ‘07. I borrowed more jewelry than the skeleton in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. And I went clubbing. Now I know what my episode of TheTwilight Zone would look like."

How has motherhood affected Blake Lively?

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Blake Lively recently opened up about how Ryan Reynolds and she monitor screen safety for their kids, which is definitely something top-of-mind in 2024. “This is not an ad. I get nothing out of this. I just love @tappityapp,” she said of the STEM-focused educational app. “It’s engaging, informative, fun and they care about safety."

She also jokes that she's learning new things right along with her kids! But, no matter how educational or fun an app is, Blake Lively also emphasizes the importance of engaging with her kids' devices: "I’m always triple checking any kids app constantly for safety because that’s my responsibly not an app’s, but I do LOVE this one.”

Despite its fun and funny moments, the actress has admitted being a mom is hard, but she did it with her signature dry sense of humor. “BettyBooze at your service," she wrote in an Instagram Story announcing the new brand. "These are recipes I’ve been making for loved ones for years. But I have 4 kids now. And I’m tired. So here they are. In a can."

However, Lively absolutely loves motherhood, and says in a 2022 interview with Forbes that having children has made her feel more comfortable in her own skin. "Once I had children, that just became even more profound because my time was even more precious, but also I think having children for me made me feel so much more in my skin," she says. "I never felt more myself or at ease in my own body or more confident — not to say that there aren't a bevy of insecurities coming at me a million times a day, but I just feel incredibly settled."

Speaking with People in 2021, Lively also explains how important it is that her children see her accomplish things outside the home. "I want to be as present of a mother as humanly possible and I want them to feel my presence, but I also think the best way to be the best mother is to show them that you can have a life and have a passion and have an identity outside of just being a mother," Lively says.

While she acknowledges that motherhood is all-encompassing, and it looks different for everyone, she knows that having your own identity is very important. "Teaching them that they can maintain themselves and that everything is possible [is crucial]," she adds.

How many children do Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have?

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Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have four kids. They welcomed their third daughter in 2019, making this new addition to the family their fourth child.

When did Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have their daughters?

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Blake Lively's children were all born in the last 10 years. Blake Lively's daughters are James, Inez, Betty, and her fourth child is named Olin! Their fourth baby's name was announced during the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine. Blake gave birth to James in 2014, while Inez was born in 2016. Lively gave birth to Betty in 2019 and Olin in February of 2023.

Why did Blake Lively name her daughter James?

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The couple decided to name their daughter James after Reynolds' late father. While the name connects both James and Reynolds to his father, it also gives Lively the chance to bond with her daughter over having historically male names. "I liked having a boy's name," Lively said on Good Morning Americain 2015. "I thought I'd pass it on."

Their third daughter Betty's name is a tribute to Lively's late father. We didn't know the name of the couple's third baby until Taylor Swift used all three names in her 2020 album folklore. Swift also used James' voice at the beginning of her 2017 track "Gorgeous"! Does that mean we'll hear one of Ryan Reynolds' children in Reputation (Taylor's Version)? I hope so!

Do Blake and Ryan have nannies?

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' children don't have a nanny. "I feel like I could sometimes have a bit of a short fuse, but there's just been this weirdly endless supply of patience," Ryan told GQ in 2015. "I have no problem waking up five times in the middle of the night and changing diapers, and as exhausted as you get, I have this stupid grin on my face all the time."

How did Blake and Ryan meet?

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds met on the set of their film Green Lantern in 2010. After they filmed the movie, they ended up going out with other people, until a train ride changed everything! “Next thing you know, she was going to Boston, and I was going to Boston,” Ryan says on an episode of the SmartLess podcast. “So we got on a train and rode together and then, you know, I was just begging her to sleep with me.” Their relationship quickly evolved to the one we know and love today!

Was Blake Lively married before Ryan Reynolds?

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Ryan Reynolds is Blake Lively's first husband, but before they got married, the actress dated her Gossip Girl costar Penn Padgley and also reportedly dated Leonardo DiCaprio. Ryan Reynolds was married to MCU star Scarlett Johansson from 2008 to 2010.

Is Blake Lively in any of Ryan Reynolds' movies?

Paramount Pictures

Yes, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have been in the same movies! After meeting during the production of Green Lantern, Blake Lively has a role as an imaginary friend in Ryan Reynolds' new movie IF. In the film, Blake plays a kitten, and it looks like the child who dreamed her up also loves the ocean! This spring movie follows Ryan Reynolds' character and his neighbor Bea, who set out to save all the imaginary friends. It looks like such a fun watch and I can't wait to see the role Blake plays!

The movie also stars director John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colón-Zayas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell.

Who is Blake Lively's half sister?

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Blake Lively's half-sister is Robyn Lively. Robyn also works in Hollywood, just like Blake's brother Eric Lively and brother-in-law Bart Johnson.

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This story has been updated.

As fall sets in, there are all sorts of ways to work the seasonal feels into your life, from your closet to home decor. My personal favorite way to usher in autumn is through food – think pumpkin everythingeverything. If you're also looking to fall-ify your cuisine this season, these easy fall snacks will certainly keep you energized and feeling festive! The best part is that these simple snacks are perfect for breaking up the workday with a little seasonal indulgence that’s both delicious and nourishing. Check out these 15 easy fall snacks and fall-inspired treats to liven up your week!

Sarah Anderson

No-Bake Apple Pie Bites

These tiny sweet treats are packed with fresh apple pieces that make them both delicious and nutritious. You'll get all the fall feels in a single bite since they're crafted diligently with cinnamon, vanilla, honey, and nutmeg. (via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co)

Midjourney

Fig Jam

This homemade fig jam works well on a mid-workday snack plate. Load your dish up with crackers, nuts, and cheese, then use this sweet spread to complement the salty notes! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Double Chocolate Banana Pumpkin Bread

There's nothing like a sweet treat to alleviate the stress of the work week. This loaf will last you all week long, supplying a hefty balance of pumpkin and chocolate that pairs extremely well with a cup of coffee. (via Brit + Co)

StableDiffusion

Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip

This easy dip tastes like pure heaven. It's cheesy and creamy, but still loaded with veggies to make you feel like you're snackin' on something healthy. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Ham & Cheese Rolled-Up Sandwich Bites

These 5-ingredient sandwich roll-ups stand strong for a midday snack option or even an easy lunch! Cheddar and ham are a match made in heaven, and these bites will definitely satisfy and fill you up when you're starving. (via Brit + Co)

Meredith Holser

Chai Sugar Cookies

Prep a big batch of these Taylor Swift-approved sugar cookies so you have a boost of energy (and yumminess) on-hand. The chai icing is non-negotiable! (via Brit + Co)

StableDiffusion

Pimento Cheese Spread

Another great snack spread option, this hearty homemade pimento cheese makes a tasty dip for chips or crackers, or as a satisfying schmear on workweek sandwiches! (via Brit + Co)

The Real Food Dietitians

No-Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls

Any recipe that doesn't require an oven is a winner in our book. These protein balls are crafted with pumpkin and plenty of chocolate chips for a quick dose of sweetness! (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Crowded Kitchen

Honey Roasted Cashews

Cashews are the best nut of them all, plus they're super healthy! If you're craving a salty, yet sweet snack, prep a large amount of these roasted nuts and keep 'em in a bowl for accessible midday snacking! (via Crowded Kitchen)

Earthly Provisions

Vegan Rice Krispie Treats

Rice Krispie treats will never not be good. This vegan iteration tastes just like the OG! (via Earthly Provisions)

Completely Delicious

Grilled Parmesan Zucchini

If you want something filling and have a quick minute to fire up the oven, grilling some zucchini pieces with Parmesan cheese and seasonings makes a comforting bite. (via Completely Delicious)

The Edgy Veg

Vegan Caramel Apple Smoothie

This apple-y smoothie takes on flavors of apple, banana, and dates, which bring a caramel vibe to each and every sip. (via The Edgy Veg)

Hello Little Home

Garlic Pumpkin Seeds

'Tis the season for roasted pumpkin seeds! You can use any sort of seasonings for your seeds, though fresh garlic is the most aromatic and flavorful. (via Hello Little Home)

Kathryn's Kitchen

Turkey Cheddar Roll-Ups

These roll-ups come together super quickly, and the best part is you can meal prep some pieces to snack on throughout the week when you just need something savory. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

The First Mess

Vegan Jalapeño Popper Dip

Spicy and creamy, this vegan dip is the ultimate snack to enjoy with some crackers and chips ahead of lunchtime. (via The First Mess)

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After revealing her cancer diagnosis back in March, Kate Middleton just announced she's finally finished her nine-month long chemotherapy treatment. Instead of releasing a written statement or an Instagram post, Middleton shared an emotional, gorgeous video featuring her entire family. It's a serene celebration of her loving family as they take the next steps in her cancer journey together. Here's what the Princess of Wales said.

This three minute video packs in a lot of love — and a lot of life – after such a grim circumstance for the beloved royal family. Middleton opens with what a relief it is to announce that she's finished her chemo treatment, and continues by explaining, "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown."

The Princess of Wales elaborates that cancer is "complex, scary, and unpredictable," especially for friends and family. She says, ""This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved."

Middleton says that her main goal is to remain cancer-free, and continue on her long healing journey. She plans to "each day as it comes," while also hoping to join some public engagements in the future. She says, "Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life."

The Princess wraps up her statement by saying that she and Prince William are "grateful" for everyone's enduring support, noting that the overall graciousness and kindness has been "truly humbling." She says, "To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey – I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright."

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Throughout her contemplative statement, the video features gorgeous shots of the entire family out in nature, splashing through the beach, walking through a nature trail, and just generally being together. With three grown, yet still young, children, this family vibrancy resonates deeply, reminding us all to hold those we love closely.

We're so thrilled for Princess Kate, and the entire family, on this incredible health milestone, and we continue to wish them well!

When did Kate Middleton get cancer?

Kate Middleton officially announced her cancer diagnosis back in March of 2024. The Princess never explicitly stated what kind of cancer she's battling, only that she was in the midst of a thorough treatment plan.

Back in January of that same year, Middleton underwent abdominal surgery that many assume is associated with the diagnosis at hand. After the described "successful" surgery, Kensington Palace stated that Middleton wished that her "personal medical information" remained "private." They further explained that the public would get updates "when there is significant new information to share."

The next update we received was the March video, explaining Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis, leading us to believe that each incident is tied together.

Regardless, it's great to hear that the Princess of Wales has officially completed her chemotherapy treatment as of today!

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