Scientists from the University of Cambridge found that women do more housework because they are more likely to notice exactly what needs to be done. The results of the study were published in the journal Philosophy and Phenomenological Research.
“When Jill enters the kitchen, she sees dishes to be washed, floors to vacuum, tables to be wiped down, taking out the trash and ripe bananas to be cooked before they spoil. Jack sees there are plates in the sink, the bananas are already browned and the trash can is full. But these pictures do not “attract” him – they do not set a corresponding task for Jack, “the scientists noted.
The team suggests that women are more likely to be viewed as an invitation to action because of social conditioning in a setting. Girls are expected to do more housework than boys. This leads women to receive observation training from childhood.
“This is called the buying effect. This is a property of an object that suggests an action. For example, we see a chair and immediately think about how to sit on it. These current activities draw our attention. Tasks can distract the perceiver until they are completed, as this often distracts the person from other plans,” the researchers explain.
The team noted that boys should be encouraged to take care of household chores from childhood. Then they will be more involved in household chores as adults.