Global problems loom large today: conflicts in Ukraine, ongoing health crises, natural disasters, energy price spikes, rising inflation, severe storms, and the surge of extremist movements. In the midst of these overwhelming issues, a seemingly small concern emerges—yet it is anything but insignificant in its impact.
This is not merely a question of daily nuisances that touch every household. It often represents a deep injustice with far-reaching consequences for well-being and fairness.
When sexism is discussed, it is easy to linger in broad theories about equality and rights. Those theories have value, but the conversation must move from abstract reflection to concrete, daily practice. That means reexamining housework itself, a realm where many men still presume certain tasks to be inherently female. It recalls a time not long past when asking a woman about her occupation implied a narrow, gendered role. A thoughtful reminder comes from the work of Rose and Levontin, who argued that these assumptions are not biological truths.
A hostile voice sometimes shouts from a window when a woman drives slowly or makes a mistake: go to the kitchen, that is where you should be.
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That chorus of voices prompts a question about life during home confinement, when days were spent indoors. Who kept the house: who cleaned, washed, ironed, cooked, watered plants, changed sheets? In such times there could be no excuse for men to avoid work or to neglect the mop and broom.
A few years ago, a piece in the same section discussed the tale of Little Housekeepers, inspired by Ana Sancho, an entrepreneurial woman who started a small venture. Ana runs a charming Watercolor Hotel in Burgos and hosted school groups who learned tasks such as ironing a shirt, making a bed, and cleaning a sink. The lessons were for boys and girls alike, showing that practical skills belong to everyone.
That experience was revisited in another article about equality, born from a campaign that used yellow gloves with the slogan Equality is in the Gloves. It highlighted small, sustained steps that push toward meaningful gains in equity.
When violence against women occurs, pain, anger, and outrage flood public conscience. Vigils are held, and marches take place. In those moments, a persistent question arises: where do the roots lie, and how can they be severed to prevent tragedy? The culprit is sexism and patriarchy, and it is crucial to acknowledge their existence even when some deny it.
Ana Sancho and Noelia Ferrer published a book titled Shared Tasks, Happy Family. The author would add a broader view: Shared Tasks, a Fairer World. Building equality benefits individuals, families, and the social climate, fostering habits of fairness, cooperation, and everyday respect. Ana is described as a born entrepreneur while Nuria is a creative writer, and their collaborative hand is evident in the book’s engaging design.
The opening pages pose a provocative question: what would happen if no one did these tasks—cooked, cleaned, organized, washed? The imagined chaos underscores the essential role of cooperation in family life.
Caring for things translates into caring for people. The book thus celebrates family happiness as a practical goal, achievable through the will to act, knowledge of how to do tasks well, and the time to do them properly.
The authors outline practical guidance for fair task distribution, emphasizing options such as rotating duties, sharing responsibilities as a team, or outsourcing certain chores. Every family is unique, and the best approach depends on specific circumstances.
The book features a compelling, accessible design where layout, typography, and color enhance readability and understanding.
One hopeful note is the idea of performing housework with the intention of making life more enjoyable for loved ones. The aim is to transform tasks into expressions of care rather than burdens, a small daily act that communicates love.
Educational value is clear: children should learn to participate in household chores from an early age. Overprotectiveness can impede development, and it is not healthy to model the habit of phones over presence when meals are prepared or tables set.
Housework is a shared duty that does not belong to one person alone. All family members contribute to a clean, orderly home, creating spaces that shape daily life and personal well-being.
The discussion touches on comfort, aesthetics, hygiene, economy, health, coexistence, justice, equality, and happiness, inviting readers to reflect on what they value most in family life.
For advocates of gender equality and against gender-based violence, housework reveals another facet of oppressive norms. Patriarchy often assigns tasks by gender, sustaining power imbalances that disappear only when people recognize and challenge these patterns.