Silver and Schor: Housework Has Become Commercialised

Silver and Schor: Housework Has Become Commercialised

1. Eg. housework has become commercialised through the production of washing machines, hoovers, baby monitors, etc.

2. 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.

3. 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.