Proved by the polls:
A woman’s place really is in the home...
Illum survey reveals that only 22% of Maltese couples share nappy-changing chores, while the vast majority of women do all the housework unaided
According to a survey carried out by sister newspaper Illum, most housework is still done by women in the vast majority of Maltese households. This includes washing the floor, hanging the laundry, cooking, changing nappies and even taking care of the bills.
The survey shows that 75% of women have the sole responsibility of washing the floor and 66% of them change the baby’s nappies unaided by their husbands.
When it comes to men who assume sole responsibility for ‘doing something about the house’, only 3% choose washing the floor and a minuscule 1% indulge in nappy-changing.
However, 22% of respondents claim that both mother and father take turns to change nappies. The percentage increases to 31% in the age bracket of 34 years and younger – a clear sign that equality is increasing in the household.
A survey carried out in the UK in 2007 by a company that produces nappies showed that 25% of families shared this chore equally between mother and father.
The Illum survey also reveals that a mere 11% of couples take turns to wash of the floor. Again, this increases by 20% in the age bracket of 34 years and under.
It is interesting to note that on average, 8% use the service of a maid to wash their floors. In the 55 and older bracket, this rises to 13%, while 7% of those younger than 34 admit to using the service of a maid or a helper.
And when it comes to taking care of bills, it is still the woman who is firmly in charge. Respondents reveal a discrepancy of 37% men, 45% women who take full responsibility for home economics.
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