User:Loulou 1010/sandbox

United Kingdom

13th-15th Century:

Within the time period of 1615, both males and females had distinct, yet differing roles within the home. In most cases, the husband was responsible for the ploughing. While men could solely focus on one task, women were responsible for baking, milking cows, sewing clothes, preparing meals, cleaning the home, caring for the children, and so on. At this time, women faced the responsibility of not only child care, but agricultural production. Due to their long list of responsibilities, they faced long days with little to no sleep. Their work is described as, "the housewife's tasks 'have never an end', combining a daily cycle with seasonal work". Eventually, due to the difficulty and consuming nature of these tasks, women began to focus on one to two professions. By focusing on a particular niche, women could find work outside of the home.

19th-20th Century:

In 1911, 90% of wives were not employed in the work force, however, time-consuming, yet rewarding tasks within the home. Ann Oakley, author of Women's Work: The Housewife, Past, and Present, describes the role of a 19th century housewife as "a demeaning one, consisting of monotonous, fragmented work which brought no financial remuneration, let alone any recognition." As a middle-class housewife, a typical duty included organizing and maintaining a home that emphasized the male breadwinner's financial success. However, through out this time period, the role of the housewife not only accepted, but a sought-after desire.

In most cases, women choose to work in the home - work outside of the home was deemed unattractive, difficult, and daunting. Since the female is heavily involved with her children and domestic duties, certain risk were associated with their absence. For example, a life in the labor force doubled a women's average workload. Not only was she expected fo financially provide, she was fully responsible for caring and raising her children. If the mother chose to work, child care costs began to add up, therefore, decreasing the incentives for the woman to hold a demanding job. If a working mother could not afford to pay for child care, she often resulted in appointing her older children to act as the younger children's caretakers. While this was financially efficient, it was looked down upon by society and other housewives. In this time period, many believed that younger children were at risk for injuries or other physical harm if cared for by older siblings.

Within this time period, women became involved with consumer politics, through organizations such as the Co-operative Union. Organizations allowed women to get involved, as well as develop an understanding of feminism. In 1833, the Women's Co-operative Union was established. Margaret Llewelyn Davies, one of the organization's key female leaders, spoke out on topics regarding divorce, maternity benefits, and and birth control. Similarly, Clementina Black helped establish a consumer's league, which attempted to boycott organizations that did not pay women fair wages.