Practical Tips to Ensure there is Proper Division of Unpaid Work in the Household

Not just in India but across the world, women carry a higher burden of unpaid work. Compared to men, they spend a disproportionate amount of their time doing domestic chores and household work. From cooking and cleaning to caring for children and the elderly, women have always been burdened with domestic tasks. For generations they never said anything or complained. No matter how repetitive or boring the job is, they work relentlessly and round-the-clock without any remuneration, perks or promotions.

Contrary to what society thinks, they don’t do it because they enjoy it. Instead, these jobs are imposed on them by patriarchal norms. This unequal division is unfair to women and deprives them of opportunities especially on the work front.

Thankfully, times have changed today. Women are going for work, men are helping with household chores and expenses are being shared too. The COVID-induced lockdown in 2020 was an eyeopener for many. With everything coming to a standstill, each member of the house was helping with cooking, cleaning, walking the pet and other household duties. Even in families where women were earlier overburdened with unpaid work, men came forward to help as they realised that gender has nothing to do with chores.

6 Tips to Divide Domestic Responsibilities Equally among Family Members

When chores are divided equally, it not just lessens the burden on the woman of the house but also improves relationships. Delegating and equally distributing the burden of unpaid work is important. If you’re wondering where to start, we’ve listed a few practical tips:

• Make a To-Do List

When it comes to distributing responsibilities, it all starts with making a to-do list. Get the entire family to sit down when you’re making the list. In your list, make sure you jot down every possible thing that needs to be done around the house. While larger things such as cooking and cleaning go without saying, you can even get into specifics. For example, putting the garbage out or keeping the milk bag. Though these are smaller tasks, it does count as an additional responsibility. Try to divide chores equally. Keeping the house spick and span is a group activity. You can even involve kids older than five years old. A good place to start is by teaching them how to make their bed. If you have teenagers at home, you can teach them how to wash the dishes or empty the garbage bag. Opting for a team approach can always lighten the burden.

Penning down what all needs to be done is the first step to ensuring responsibilities are equally distributed.

• Take Turns

In India, we are privileged to have domestic help for household tasks. Despite that, family members do have to shoulder certain responsibilities. When you’re distributing chores, make sure you delegate them in rotation so that it doesn’t get boring to do the same tasks every time. For example, if you’re in charge of the laundry and grocery shopping on a certain week, swap it with your better half in the following week. You can even tick off all the completed tasks in your to-do list so that you know where you stand.

• Ensure it’s Fairly Distributed

When you’re making a to-do list to divide the chores, ensure it’s done fairly. The goal is to ensure every family member feels supported. When you’re in a joint family, you have to ensure each person is given an equal amount of work. Unfair chore distribution can only ruin relationships. It’s important for each one to support one another.

• Set Clear Expectations

When it comes to managing a house, it’s always better to set small yet realistic goals. Though there is nothing wrong with setting large goals, smaller ones are more achievable. If you’re someone who has to manage work and household tasks, make a to-do list that you think you can achieve. Don’t overestimate your abilities.

Also, when you’re dividing tasks, remember to set clear expectations. Different people have different standards especially when it comes to cleaning. For example, one person might feel that the dishes should be washed before going to bed whereas another might find it okay to leave them till the morning. When you’re discussing chores, it is very important for everyone to be on the same page. This will considerably reduce frustration.

• Letting go of the “perfectionist” attitude

As mentioned earlier, the definition of cleanliness is pretty subjective. When you’re dividing chores, it’s important to let go of the perfectionist attitude. If you see a particular family member not doing a task the way you would want it to be done, don’t lose your temper. Instead, handle the situation tactfully. It’s normal for conflict to arise out of domestic work. How the situation is handled is important. Start with executing the more important tasks first and then do the rest. Focus on keeping the house clean and then oversee smaller tasks such as changing the bedsheets or cleaning the drawers.

• Decide the frequency of the chores

When you and your family are doing domestic chores yourself without any help, it can get difficult to manage every aspect. Thus, when you reach the delegation stage, it’s important to decide the frequency of the chores. Not all areas have to be cleaned everyday unless you have a child or pet at home. We’re not saying you don’t have to keep your house clean. Instead, focus your energy on other important activities. Dusting, sweeping and mopping is something you need to do on an everyday basis. Keep deep cleaning for once a month.

Another way to ensure that your house is clean is by adopting the “clean as you go” mindset. This is a great way to inculcate the habit of cleanliness in children. Teach them to rinse/wash their own plate once they’re done with their meal. In case they make a mess, ask them to pick it up there and then. This way, they’re more likely to become mindful adults. A little cleaning everyday will keep the house neat and tidy.

Conclusion

Managing work and household chores can be challenging. There are times when one can feel helpless. With a little planning, domestic chores can be divided equally amongst family members. Only the woman of the house does not have to bear the brunt of unpaid work. With everyone taking on a certain role in the household, domestic tasks can be better managed and families will be happier too.