To say that most heavy duty physical labour is done by men? When was the last time a female plumber, builder, roofer,painter and decorator, drain unblocker, or boiler or washing machine engineer came to your house?

[YourAmplePlumPoster]

To say that most heavy duty physical labour is done by men?

Ready to 💩 that was to the crow

Not sure how old you are, but I agree about sexism in them “pink and blue jobs. I remember filling in my form for year 10 work experience (20 plus years ago) and really wanted experience in a mechanics, I was told by teachers to reconsider which I didn’t and ended up in a hairdressers, which wasn’t even my 2nd or 3rd choice.

I do think things have progressed somewhat since when I was younger. More men in the healthcare jobs as nurses, HCP and HCA. I don’t have any friends in the trades apart from the boys from school but many of my friends and family are in the police, forces, solicitors, doctors, civil engineers. So lots of variation.

Totally agree! I got the make up counter in boots! When I asked for the public sector 🙄

And?

Not sure it's even true. Care work and cleaning are both physically demanding jobs, and both are mostly female.

It does! Oh, good! I like to hear of, and see, women in traditionally 'male' roles. I was very pleased to see a young woman painting lines on a road the other day.

Please note the only thing that a woman can't do is produce a sperm sample. Let's not let traditional gender roles (and apparently rigid mindsets...) hold us back any longer!

Things OP thinks women aren't strong enough to do:

• climb up ladders

• climb down ladders

• weed the garden

OP, there will be grannies on here who did all that this afternoon, as part of their Sunday gardening. You're not even trying, are you?

Maybe take a breath and try again, OP. What on earth are you getting your knickers in a knot about?

Guess, what, some men also choose to do jobs which could be done by someone with the physical strength of a wet noodle.

I'm 57, but I really don't think it is better at the kind of pace that's needed.

You must be rich if you dont need the money.

Is the OP going to let us know where someone can get let loose with a chainsaw?

Ah, the OP returns from struggling with the toaster! (how annoying that the jammed slice from this morning set off the smoke alarm).

Not rich, just wouldn't want to work for you. You sound exceedingly horrid.

Well I’m sure it helped those that were interested in becoming an electrician.

I think TB was trying to bridge the gap with more working class people being able to get a degree. Which was something that was hard to achieve previously and something only the rich and middle class were able to do. Not all rich and middle class people are capable of studying at degree level but they were giving that opportunity because of their privilege unlike the working class.

My painter and decorator, a Ukrainian man, is coming to my house tomorrow to complete a painting job. Must be because he wants to sexually abuse me as was stated upthread. I should have held out for a female team to do the job.

I've had a female a plumber. I got my oil changed last week by a female mechanic. I'm having my foundation looked at in a couple of weeks by a female contractor.

I, a woman, have installed toilets, a bidet, two sinks, a dishwasher, a garbage disposal, two ceiling fans, and a porch light. All of those involved plumbing and/or electric.

Er because it requires hard work and physical labour! Why are men so absent from the caring professions (doctors not included)? Where are all the male nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants, care home workers, home helps and support workers? Why aren't men fighting to do these jobs I wonder? 🤔Could it be because they are ACTUAL HARD WORK? And are underpaid, underfunded, and not respected at all?

This person is a one handed poster.

I think you're right. A very few jobs actually require a level of heavy lifting that can only be done by young, fit men. And these should be adapted because those guys are also going to develop knee and back problems further down the line.

It was actually a lot easier when you could go to university for free if you were intelligent enough, instead of anyone being able to go to university, but then have to spend decades in debt. Unless your parents are rich enough to pay the fees

But whatever.

I mean if the OP wants us to help him/her decide between a sexual fantasy involving a Ukrainian man or a team of women of unspecified national origin, s/he could have posted a poll

I have no idea what it’s like now, in terms of how they sort it. But I went to an all girls catholic school, so although education was placed very highly the sexism from the teachers was ridiculous. Particularly hated that we were told to act “like young ladies” How the fuck are ladies suppose to act?

This is a serious point regarding the exploitation of male labour and health outcomes

I don't know about the UK, but you know that here in the US when all the men went off to war women did those jobs, right? You've heard of Rosie the Riveter?

I think if painting and decorating is what you need, there will be thousands of mumsnetters who could do the job.