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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Have ordered Wifework....slightly concerned about the after effects

379 replies

TheProvincialLady · 18/09/2011 09:12

I hadn't encountered Wifework before lurking on the feminist boards, but it sounds so interesting that I have just ordered it from Amazon and I'm really looking forward to reading it. But at the same time a little concerned about what I will actually DO with the enhanced knowledge that I am a Wife.

I willingly gave up work when I had the DC. We both discussed this and it was what I had always thought would be the best thing for the children. 5 years later, we have two children and I work a few hours a week (and really enjoy it). But I am now basically responsible for all the housework, all of the time. And getting the children ready. My husband does help, but he is not responsible and I'm not sure how this happened. It affects my choice of job but not his, the hours I work but not his, etc. Before children I still did more housework - partly because our standards are somewhat different - but also because he was raised to do nothing in the way of housework and has an underlying belief that it gets done anyway.

Anyway, a slight resentment of all this has been bubbling under the surface for some years now I suppose, and now it is all about to come to a head when I read Wifework. As the children get older I want to work more hours outside the home and so DH and I will be more equal in that respect, and I can foresee a battle over the housework and the children. So how can I approach this in a constructive way?

I posted this on the feminist board because I value your opinions and would be interested in any theoretical stuff as well as practical advice. Thanks.

OP posts:
Beachcomber · 20/09/2011 21:09

I'll never live it down Grin.

I wonder if whoever came up with the workshop was um, inspired, by it It did actually ring quite true though.

AliceWyrld · 20/09/2011 21:11

Well some stuff in it does ring true. But the book makes out it's cos of berries and shit rather than society.

Hullygully · 20/09/2011 21:17

it's not that different to what dale spender says....

swallowedAfly · 20/09/2011 21:19

oh and poor men go into their caves - so don't go nagging them - they need their cave time.

it's like a gift to husbands.

HereBeBolloX · 20/09/2011 21:25

By the law of averages, most self help books are going to have some worthwhile stuff in them.

Mostly shite though... the fucking cave stuff. I haven't even read the book and I gibber at the thought of that.

Beachcomber · 20/09/2011 21:36

Ah is it full of evopsych shite? Or am I getting carried away by talk of berries and caves?

LRDTheFeministDragon · 20/09/2011 21:37

Right, I've just finished reading Wifework. Smile It's funny how much of all this stuff just trickles down through MN and I kept thinking 'hmm, but SaF/HereBe/Milly/Dittany/Proles has already said that' before, erm, remembering you probably got it from her! Grin

AliceWyrld · 20/09/2011 21:44

Yeh evopsych/neurosexism shite. This is the planets one not Wifework. Did you know that women like the colour pink cos we used to look for berries? That's true that is.

swallowedAfly · 20/09/2011 21:55

i haven't read it lrd.

do you just consume books at the speed of light woman?

swallowedAfly · 20/09/2011 21:55

i don't like pink. i guess i would have starved.

AliceWyrld · 20/09/2011 21:57

I thought that. It feels like just now you said you'd started LRD! I've done basically jack, except fight patriarchy witter on MN and you've read a whole book Shock

Portofino · 20/09/2011 22:08

I thought you only got damn book this morning?

Portofino · 20/09/2011 22:10

Have to admit that I was reading the real life book on the sofa on Sunday,\but my lovely Kindle is so much easier to put in my bag for the commute......No excuses. Back into to tomorrow.

LRDTheFeministDragon · 20/09/2011 22:12

I guess we've all consumed it by some kind of chinese whispers procedure then! Grin

I do read fast, I'm lucky.

Alice I love the 'I've done basically jack, except fight patriarchy' ... d'you think fighting patriarchy counts as part of the wifework feminists get lumbered with?

Provincial, do you want to discuss it here or on the bookclub thread? SGM linked it so I guess she doesn't mind us bumping it?

AliceWyrld · 20/09/2011 22:12

Very interesting question LRD!

LRDTheFeministDragon · 20/09/2011 22:15

Btw, if you all did less wifework* you'd have more time to read ...

Grin
LRDTheFeministDragon · 20/09/2011 22:17

Alice - I never would have thought it was, you see, but all the 'Harman had 13 years and did nothing' makes me think that probably some people do think that if women don't do well out of marriage, it's their problem to sort out too.

swallowedAfly · 20/09/2011 23:10

love that harman was meant to smash the patriarchy single handed in 3 years - will always see her with pants over her tights from now on.

edd1337 · 20/09/2011 23:41

It was actually 3 years, I was corrected on that. What did she do exactly? Are feminists really powerless? I think not

LRDTheFeministDragon · 20/09/2011 23:53

Mmm, that's an appealing image SaF .... Confused

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 21/09/2011 08:09

My copy arrived yesterday Smile

I should get time on the bus to read a few chapters today and tomorrow but no time til Friday to post thoughts.

LRDTheFeministDragon · 21/09/2011 11:25

I just bumped the August bookclub thread so we can chat there whenever? (love the new name btw plenty).

TheProvincialLady · 21/09/2011 15:33

LRD don't mind but give me a chance - I'm a fast reader too but I've got an awful lot of housework to do just nowGrin DH saw the book this morning and asked if he should be worried. I said yes.

OP posts:
LRDTheFeministDragon · 21/09/2011 15:40

Blush Sorry, I'm over-eager.

I am currently seeing how long it takes before DH notices housework needs doing, so i have lots of free time! Grin

Mine is reading Delusions of Gender at the moment.

LRDTheFeministDragon · 21/09/2011 15:42

(Btw, my copy of Wifework has the pink cover and I suspect it looks to most people as if it is full of helpful tips on how to be a better 1950s style wife. Oh, no!)