October 2010 - On the Couch
Do you row over
domestic chores?
This month three readers come together to discuss gender-specific
chores, shirking responsibility and bargaining with partners over
the housework
READER PROFILES
Helen Margett,
39 - Mobile hairdresser and mum to Connor, 14, and Leonie,
10, Helen is married to Sean. She believes there should be equal
give and take around the house.
Nick Orme,
35 - A sales manager for Loot, Nick has lived with his
partner Lisa Carmichael, 28, for three years. Who does what
shouldn't become a big issue for couples, he says.
Angela Lawrence,
45 Has been married to Kevin, 46, for 25 years. They have
two grown up children - Becky, 23, and Shaun, 21. She finds Kevin
is more house-proud than she is.
Who does what in your home?
Helen: "My husband Sean is self-employed so when he's not going out to work he doesn't seem to mind vacuuming, mopping the kitchen floor and doing the washing. He doesn't do the food shopping, though. I'm much better at doing that than him because he just heads to the frozen pizza section! I tend to do the washing but neither of us irons - instead we buy non-iron fabric softener which always works an absolute treat."
Nick: "I actually like cooking so I'm quite happy to do the food shopping as well. I usually take care of everything in the kitchen and I'm quite happy to prepare most of the meals. In terms of shopping we don't stick to a rota - it's whoever has the time. I'm not a good ironer but I will do it when I need to. I'd say the chores are split 70/30 with Lisa doing the most."
Angela: "You don't iron Helen? I can imagine not ironing things like T-shirts and joggers, but not never doing the ironing."
Helen: "We haven't even got an ironing board at our house."
Angela: "We're both self-employed and
I will sit and work at the kitchen table rather than in our office.
If I'm working but he isn't, Kev will go and clean the
bathroom and toilets or hoover - mostly it's because he'll
get irritated if they're not clean, whereas I think, 'Well,
they'll last another few days.' So he is quite good
really."
Have your say!
Do you row over domestic chores? (CLOSED)
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