Is SAGE behaviour sub group sexist or accurate?

[Dishwashersaurous]

The SAGE advisory group on behaviour has published some recommendations on how to have a safe Christmas.

It includes this:

The document says: "Women carry the burden of creating and maintaining family traditions and activities at Christmas.
"Messaging should be supportive of women adapting traditions and encouraging those around them to share the burden and to be supportive of any alterations to adapt for Covid-19 restrictions."

Is this sexist or just an accurate reflection of reality

Accurate. Confirming to societal and gender stereotypes, but accurate nonetheless.

They are a scientific group so I expect it is based on data.

Conforming*

I don’t object to the first sentence. I think that in many families, but not all, that could be true.

The whole ‘messaging should be supportive part...’ seems hugely patronising and sexist.

I read that it and it did annoy me. Seemed unnecessary to say it.

I read this and was astonished, but in a refreshing way. Finally, the mental load of Christmas, for the most part, IS on the shoulders of women.

It’s phrased badly but they’re right. You only have to browse MN in the run up to Christmas to see how many women tie themselves in knots trying to please everyone or put immense pressure on themselves to make everything magical for their children.

It's not sexist. The first bit is reporting fact (which I think everyone would agree is accurate). The second bit is the recommendation for what Comms the govt should put out to try and get people to think how they can do things in a more covid-secure way at Xmas. It makes perfect sense to target women for this, and to be supportive of changing traditions. The recommendation is to gvt, not women themselves. I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

It's realistic I would say.
As for the supportive messaging - well the idea behind the covid messaging is to get people to comply with the rules, so it is probably in that sense that it should be supportive, not directly just saying well done to women!

Accurate.

The bbc report of it though points put it's important to involve women in decision making about the family traditions. Let's hope all our husbands have read it.

Agree with Brightbluebell. First line is accurately describing the situation. Second bit is patronising in the way it’s phrased and sexist in its attempt to push even more work off on women when they’re already carrying the higher workload..

Accurate! Thank goodness it’s being acknowledged!