Books The Wife Drought by Annabel Crabb (Author)

"The Wife Drought" by Annabel Crabb is a humorous, insightful, and thought-provoking examination of gender inequality in domestic and professional life. The book explores how most men benefit disproportionately from having wives or partners who manage the majority of unpaid domestic labor, freeing them to excel in their careers, while women often face the challenge of juggling paid work with most household responsibilities. Crabb highlights the "wife drought" experienced by working women—meaning the lack of a spouse (or partner) to share the load of family and home duties—and argues this is a major, under-discussed barrier to true gender equality. The book also questions why workplace flexibility and career exit barriers are largely focused on women, while men face different, often overlooked obstacles. Combining candid storytelling with research and historical context, Crabb calls for a ceasefire in gender wars and urges for practical conversations about balancing family and work for both genders.