Monday 19 January 2015

Is Laundry Only a Woman’s Job ?

“I am writing for #IsLaundryOnlyAWomansJob activity at BlogAdda.com in association with Ariel.”

Is laundry only a woman's job?
Absolutely not!

And why not?
Simply because it's not rocket science and anyone can do it. It's much simpler these days.

The below household statistics that emerged in Ariel’s survey conducted by AC Nielsen surprised me highly. The numbers are unusually high than what I had expected.




What do men do when away from home?

The statistics shows how much dependent men are on women for laundry. The first question that comes to my mind is what do men do when they are away from home for a long period.  Don't they wash their clothes? They somehow take care of doing their laundry.  Then why this dependency on women, the mother or wife when they are at home.



Image Courtesy: Google

Why this inequality?

Brought up in an all-daughters-family, I was not susceptible to this domestic inequality. Lucky me! It's a known fact that while a boy played outdoors, a girl helped women in domestic chores. This has been happening since ages. Household work only for girls. Pink for girls and blue for boys. The gender stereotype thing! So is the upbringing a reason we see these kind of results in the survey?

What about the media's role? How many of these washing powder and soap advertisements show a man doing laundry? Most of them depict a woman who lovingly cleans the dirty clothes.


Image Courtesy: Google

And the society in general terms a man henpecked if he does household duties. Yes, it's his duty also!

How many women feel laundry is a women's job?

The above survey does not have a number for this. My guess is that majority of women feel it's their job. The minute a woman is married she is expected to take care of household chores in her husband's house. And most of the times a married woman owns upon her this responsibility. A woman efficiently has to juggle between her house and office work. Why not give men a chance to showcase their skill? Why not help them take up multiple roles?

Laundry is no longer hard work and not time consuming either. The washing machines and powders these days have simplified the huge effort of washing clothes. Thanks to the improving technology!
On a lighter note, let us all be part of the Swachhata Abhiyan (cleaning spree) at home. It is a small step to improve the gender disparity.


Ending with a cool clip.

Image Courtesy: Google


10 comments:

  1. I've never thought about it before, but you're right. I consider washing laundry to be my job. I think I tackle the job better than my husband, who managed to wash my things when I was in hospital. I'm sure he would take over if I allowed it, but it's one of the things I can do. He does everything else in the house, the darling.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for dropping by!
    Nice to know that your husband helps you :-)


    ReplyDelete
  3. Trust me Vidya it is still only a women's job. I tell you my story. My husband even if he volunteers to wash his clothes, he picks only his shirts and trousers. Once i confronted him, why he does that ? He got away saying your colors will bleed. But I know the cultural reason is how can a man wash the clothes ?

    I am dropping in from Write Tribe. Visit us sometime. http://sinhasat302.blogspot.in/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by!
      I hope this thinking in society changes soon.

      Delete
  4. VIdya, I too believe that men can also wash clothes, what if just there own. But isn't it that we women rush to do all the work by ourselves including laundry. We have fully automatic washing machines at home which makes doing laundry as no big deal. So next time, to give men practice, why not we wash our clothes and those of our kids' leaving theirs piled up all dirty. Make excuses so that they finally take it up. When they are done, telling them see its not so difficult.
    I hope you do not stay with your in-laws or this plan will fall flat. ;-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by Anamika!
      I must say I am lucky because my husband does not mind doing household chores. He does not volunteer but does the chores when I ask for.

      Delete
  5. I have nominated you for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!!! In case you are thinking what is it, you can find out more about my nomination here:

    https://iknownothingaboutit.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/

    I hope you will accept the nomination.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the nomination Anamika and I accept it.
      But I may need some time to post about it in my blog.
      Thanks again!

      Delete
  6. Laundry has always been a joint effort around our house as with most tasks, but if anything needs ironing, I prefer to do it, because hubby is not so skillful in that area. ☺ Sad to say, the majority of household chores are still considered "women's work" by many.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debbie for coming here!
      Your last line is a fact and hope this changes for good very soon

      Delete