My name is Souta. I am in the fifth grade of elementary school. The home economics class that started this year is a lot of fun. We get to use the sewing machine, listen to a story about money, and learn how to clean up. Of all the classes, I like the cooking class the best! Cooking is interesting and delicious! My mom always cooks for me, but sometimes I would like to help out with the cooking. I’ll ask my mom about it next time.
Hey, big guy!
As I was thinking about this, my younger sister Riko came home. Rico is in the third grade. I’m always so excited.
Rico, what’s wrong?
Moms work, but when they come home, they have a lot of things to do, like cooking, cleaning, and laundry. I want to play and chat with my mom more!
Well… You know, even Dad does things like take out the trash.
But mom always seems to have a harder time than I do. Is this the same in every house?
I don’t know about the other houses… what do you think? I’ll have to do some research!
Yeah!
Housework and childcare-related time (overall weekly average)
(Based on a 2021 survey of men’s participation in housework and childrearing by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Citizenship and Culture)
When examined, women spend more than twice as much time as men doing housework and shopping. When the time spent on childcare was included, the difference was found to be even greater.
I guess it’s harder for moms after all.
See, Dad, you could do more.
But I think mom’s cooking is delicious, she is good at folding laundry, and even cleaning is quick and clean. I am sure my mom is better at it than I am.
The food my dad sometimes cooks for me is delicious. And laundry and cleaning may take time, but I don’t think it’s impossible.
That’s nothing I can’t do. I help out from time to time.
Hey, Onii-chan! Does Dad “help” with the housework?
What? Something funny?
Helping means helping someone else do what they are doing, right?
Well, yes.
Why is it that moms “do” chores and dads “help” with chores even though they are the same chores?
Ah, I see. I hadn’t thought about it, but that’s true… I wonder why. I think housework should be something that dads do, too. But to “help” is…
I think it’s because they think housework is for moms to do.
Ah! That’s what you mean!
Because I’ve never seen my dad do housework on his own. He always does them after Mom tells him to. I wonder why he does that.
Hmmm. Maybe it’s because that’s how it was when my dad was growing up.
What do you mean?
My grandma told me that in the old days, it was normal for the men to go to work and the women to do the housework. So, I am sure my dad thinks it is normal for women, or moms, to do the housework.
I see.
I guess I take for granted what my mom and dad did when I was growing up. My dad used to say, ‘I’ll do it when I can.
If not only dads but also moms become “I’ll only do it when I can,” there will be more days when we can’t eat or the room is still dirty.
So your mom is always doing the best she can?
I wish that dads would do housework instead of just “helping”.
It seems that we all assumed that housework was something our mothers “did”. I am sure that the reason women spend so much time doing housework is because of this assumption. Dad may not be good at it either, but once he gets used to it, he may enjoy it, get used to it, and feel like he “does” the chores just like Mom. But…there is something that bothers me a little.
So, how can I get my dad to “do” housework on his own? Dad says he likes housework and wants to get better at it. He says that cooking allows him to feel the seasons through food, and that thinking about the arrangements is also a part of his job.
But. Dad said he didn’t have time to do the chores in the first place.
And I always come home late from work.
So! Dad is really too busy with his work!
What’s the matter? You suddenly got angry. What’s wrong?
There’s an arts and crafts show coming up at school. I’m going to play the lead role in the Wizard of Oz.
Good for you!
Yup. So, I told my dad to definitely come see the show, but he couldn’t take off work that day because he was busy with work.
Well…I’m sorry to hear that.
…Onii-chan!
What? What’s wrong?
Onii-chan! Can’t you take a day off from work for the school arts festival?
That’s…okay! Let’s check there next time!
(Continued next time)
