Silver and Schor: Housework
Has Become Commercialised
Eg. housework has become
commercialised through the production
of washing machines, hoovers, baby monitors, etc.
The commercialisation of housework has reduced the burden of housework
on women. As it is easier to do, more men are willing to help, resulting in
more symmetrical families. The role of the housewife is dead.
Criticism: However, this is more likely to be a middle class
phenomenon as working class can't afford the expensive
appliances and so continue to do more housework.
Oakley argues the housewife role has become cemented as the
dominant role for married women in 20th century due to reforms
such as the Factory Act 1847 during industrialisation. These
excluded women from workplace and confined them to home.