Sunday, December 14, 2014

Another topic that’s been on my mind for a while:  teachers complain about a lack of time.  One underlying explanation:  most of them, who are married women, continue to do the majority of the housework and childcare (per the “National Council of Education Statistics” and “Sex Roles: A Journal of Research”).  Since teaching is a full-time job, female teachers do not have any more time for home and childcare activities than their non-teaching husbands.  A solution:  their children and husbands can do more at home for both themselves and the entire household.  For example, children can complete chores that are age-appropriate.  By a certain age, children can make their beds, pick out their clothes, fold laundry, and set the dinner table.  Wives and husbands can agree to divide household chores and childcare activities more equably.  For each household chore (laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping), the amount of time and effort can be considered.  For example, taking out the trash requires less time and effort than washing dishes.  If possible, recurring household bills can be set up as automated payments. 

Having lived with roommates of different genders, ages, and nationalities I know that chores can and will be done differently (for example: loading the dishwasher).  I’ve learned that as long as it gets done without breaking anything who cares how it’s done.