Studies have shown that although post-war women are now contributing more than ever to the labour market (sharing the breadwinning burden) there has not been an equal shift in the areas of childcare/housework labour divisions.
The least equitable seems to be for women who work part-time who, when paid and unpaid labour is considered end up doing an average 19 hours more work compared with her male partner.
As childcare and housework can be menial/thankless/laborious work (with the latter not having the compensatory laughs, love and rewards) why do men not do more to help in these areas? As a general rule I mean, each family is diverse and some men may well dislike the disparity also.
On an aside for example, it often used to amuse me when a male colleague use to announce he was 'babysitting the kids as the wife was going out'.. not only was in partner an indefinite article (lmao) but how can someone babysit their OWN children!?
2006-11-10 06:50:36 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Should add that the menial/thankless/laborious comment was meant to highlight that there are many aspects of childcare/housework which are not easy, it is a challenge to run a home/look after children and to do it day in day out and do it well and that paid labour in many instances can be the easier option. I actually believe that not enough recognition is given to these tasks and traditionally the status of, for example housewives has been low/not recognised enough - when it is in fact essential and very demanding work.. worthy of more assistance/praise/support..
2006-11-10 07:10:08 · update #1
From a stay at home mothers view.. I have to say I agree with you and the fact that some men don't take on more home related responsibility. I think it has just been "breed" in to men that those areas are women's areas. But I do have to disagree with this comment you made...As childcare and housework can be menial/thankless/laborious work ... That is in no way shape or form true. I spend most of my days dividing up my time to get what needs to be done, done. Along with knowing who is to be where when. And multi task more than my sister who is an office secretary. For those of you who think that house work and child care is a thinkless job.. then how come more of the world isnt doing it? I can tell you from years of work experience.... there are alot of people in management positons that cant do 2 things at 1 time....
2006-11-10 07:02:49 · answer #1 · answered by kutskova29 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our children are almost grown up, well my son is a man now and my daughter is mid teens. My wife and I shared the chores and so forth but at times when I had to work extra shifts to earn more money she would help by taking more of the housework.
I have always played a large part in the childcare and development.
My wife and I see it as a team effort, if you will and share responsabilities. It works and although it is never always an easy ride, we have overcome obstacles and enjoyed the highlights, such as our kids doing well in what they achieve and enjoy as hobbies.
So I have never been a babysitter, I have and always will be a father, no matter what age my kids are! I am also a husband, friend and lover to my wife as well!
2006-11-10 07:08:51 · answer #2 · answered by Steve J H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a father, but a mother of one and my b/f has one child that is with us a lot. I work 45+ hours a week, he works 40 hours a week. I do the laundry, 75% of the cooking, all of the cleaning (he vaccuums sometimes) and make sure the kids eat in the morning before school. He takes out the trash, when I remind him. I am picky about cleaning, so I don't mind the cleaning, but he knows when he needs to stand up and help with the meals or do dishes. His boy is 10 so he stays at the house with his dad if I go to the store but my 5 yr old goes with me because that's our time together. I rarely go out with anyone other that him as our friends are the same so my mom will watch the kids.
2006-11-10 07:05:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I think when a couple is married that a husband and wife SHOULD share the housework. I know in my home, my wife would NOT stand for it if I sat on my butt and made her do all the housework and take care of the kids. How fair is that to her? By helping her around the house with the chores, I'm showing her that I care and love her enough that she doesn't have to do it all herself.
2016-05-22 03:15:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some fathers carry more of a burden than others. I don't do much in the way of housework but am a better cook so handle that myself. My wife doesn't especially like to do yard work or clean the pool so I do those too. Since she believes no man can properly sort, wash and fold laundry she does it.
When it comes to dealing with the kids we each have our strengths and weaknesses too. She is much better at helping them deal with the day to day tribulations of school where I am better at healing wounds and administering discipline.
In short, in a reasonable family both people do what they are good at or feel most comfortable with. You can't generalize easily but have to look at it on a case by case basis.
2006-11-10 07:06:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife and I spit everything.....I do most of the cooking, she only cooks maybe one meal a week....she does dishes after we are done.....she does most of the laundry and house hold cleaning because she only goes out to work 3 days a week....I take care of all the outside work....mowing, shoveling snow, cleaning dog kennel, trash detail, household repairs etc....so we both have things we don't do and things we share...it works for us......we have a 2 year old and are expecting our second.....we both handle the kids....diapers, bedtime stories, babysitting to the other can go out with friends....pretty equal....and when my sons start to get older I know I will probly be taking them more....I hunt and fish all the time and that is something I can't wait to be able to teach them....
2006-11-10 08:16:21 · answer #6 · answered by yetti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree the majority of males follow the traditional way of only bringing food to the table, it falls down to the personalitiy of the male. I am a male my self if my partner was working too i would also contribute to the cleaning and cooking but she is responsible to atleast 60% of the childcare/housework. It is not her responsibillity to maintain income i bieleve, so she should spend these extra hours to her share of the childcare/housework.
2006-11-10 07:05:44 · answer #7 · answered by Abbas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely 100% I do. I changed nappies, did night time feeds, dressed, fed and bathed our kids. I help with homework and do my fair share of taxi-driving. I babysit so my wife can go out (as she does for me). Quite frankly, and I've said as much to my mates, I've always considered it a privillege.
I also do my fair share of chores around the house like cleaning, whashing up, and gardening. My dad never lifted a finger around the house and my mum was just a glorified skivy. I remember as a kid trying to help by tidying the house up, so no way was I ever going to turn out like him - the b@st@rd.
2006-11-10 07:17:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a student, my wife works, hence I do the majority of the work around the house, ironing cooking washing etc. We also have a 13 month old son and I am his main carer.
2006-11-10 07:02:37 · answer #9 · answered by Hendo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im answering for my partner, (hes watching the telly), he helps me loads in every single way with our two daughters. he works from 6am until about 2pm then i go out to work from 4-8 3 days a week and 6-10 for the next two days. he has always helped with nappies, sticking the washing in, tidying, washing up, school stuff, etc, and be quite honest i consider myself very lucky and I love him with all my heart (sorry thats a bit soppy)!
2006-11-10 07:43:08 · answer #10 · answered by button moon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋