We learned about a chapter on Domestic Division of labor, and I was asked to post my thoughts on what I learned out of this, and/or how I feel in general.
Back when our grandparents were kids being raised by our great-grandparents, things, understandably, were very different. Can you imagine what life must have been like around 1900? I can imagine the domestic division of labor was very much different than what it is now: women were expected to take care of everything in the house: the cooking, cleaning, having the children, taking care of the children, doing all the laundry, peobably even some farm chores, if they lived on a farm. The husband was to work outside the home, and/or do the "man" work in their farm or yard- mowing the grass, building and mending fences, barns, etc.
Nowdays things are much different: men and women are sharing the labor- more and more women are going to work and school, there are many stay at home dads; depending on what shift they work, depends on how much the other parent has to do; not to mention if you are a single parent, you have to fulfill both those roles- taking care of the children, housework, and outdoor work if you own your home. Many women will roll up their sleeves and do the "man" work these days; and men are cooking and doing laundry (well mine does, anyway).
Being a nursing student, we have been lucky enough to hire a nanny to care for the kids, and my husband does most, if not all, the cooking and cleaning. The only thing I seem to be required to do, is get through nursing school. I am very blessed when it comes to the division of labor, although I feel guilty at times, like I am not doing enough.
There are still families out there who live like it is 1900 still: they live on a farm in the middle of nowhere, the man goes to work and the woman stays home and takes care of the kids and hosuework. It is nice to see the American family evolving more though, that way things are equal, fair, and both feel like they are productive members of society.
Hi Valerie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
That's great that your husband partakes in a large portion of the cooking and cleaning. In my household growing up, my mother has done pretty much everything. At one point, in order to enable to me pursue my dreams of dancing ballet professionally, my mom worked 3 jobs, had a "FOURTH" shift of housework, and was taking classes to go back to school for another job. (She's my best friend and totally amazing) but one thing (out of a ten million)that I gathered from this experience is that my husband(if I have one eventually) will definitely help me run our household in a balanced fashion.
I'm glad that sounds like it's the case for you. Best of luck! Hope you're loving nursing.
Thank you Talia! It sounds like you have a wonderful, supportive mother. I have always loved ballet, although i am not that coordinated. Nursing school is hard, but will be totally worth it! It is very nice to have dreams. :) Thank you for your response.
DeleteAnd I just noticed you are a nursing student as well! I hope it is going well for you!
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