Despite advancements in gender equality, women still do the majority of housework in the U.S. It’s known as the ‘Second Shift’ - when they find themselves working late, like some secret, unpaid workforce. But some say it’s time to bring cleaning out of the closet, appreciate it for what it is, and treat it with the dignity it deserves.
So what’s the secret to getting your house clean? Invite people over. Something about the idea of company on the way focuses the mind.
“If it is clean it’s presentable, that’s kind of something that tells yourself, your family who you are.”
Irma Silva Barbeau has given a lot of thought to the importance of a clean house; the meaning, of cleaning if you will.
“Like yesterday I cleaned the kitchen, the stove and everything, it looked so nice you know. And for me, I give t as a gift to my family because it lifts people up, it lifts my family up, it lifts me up.”
Cleaning may be physical work, but it’s also emotional labor linked to feelings of safety and security according to Arlie Hochschild, a feminist sociologist who wrote the book “The Second Shift.” If that feeling is more common in females, it knows no geographical boundaries.
“I grew up in West Africa. And everybody had their role to keep the house going.”
Barbeau lives in Blacksburg and is the author of three children’s books. Her newest is called A Crown on Her Head. It’s about a young girl named Isabel, who doesn’t help out when the rest of her family is cleaning, and the problems this causes for everyone. That is until she learns how important the work of cleaning is in honoring yourself and those around you.
“And that feeling that she got. Oh gosh, I’m an important part of this team you know? They love me, not just because I did that but because I’m doing something that is important to them too and to others. So that’s when she felt like a princess and that’s feeling of self esteem, the royalty that she felt.”
Esther Woods started her own cleaning business in the New River Valley 4 years ago. She does houses, offices, and she says at the end of the day, she feels like she’s not only earned her pay for the hard work ,but that she’s accomplished something important and satisfying.
“It’s rewarding and to me, it’s just partly how I was brought up but I feel like it’s something I can feel good about and glad I was able to find that.”
Woods can make her own schedule, spend time with her 1year old daughter, Layla and add to her family’s income.
“One of my main things was, I wanted to make people happy and I really felt like when I finished cleaning a house, I felt accomplished when I left. You know the attitude that they have and showing that appreciation for it makes a world of difference and I want my children to understand that it is a very important role and they have to take it seriously.”
Not just sweep it under the rug, so to speak- a time worn phrase that illustrates how intrinsic house cleaning is to human existence. The occupation has been growing at a decent rate, about 13% a year according to the bureau of labor statistics. It’s expected to increase, working couples, busy singles, and retirees willing to pay for the service. The median income for cleaners is around $20,000 a year, compared to $35,000 for all U.S. occupations. Still underpaid perhaps, for the value it serves.
“I’d like to see something similar to the cooking come to the forefront of our society that we can hey having a cleaning show or something like that.”
Irma Silva-Barbeau will be at the Meadowbrook Library in Shawsville on March 23rd to talk about her book, A Crown on Her Head. Click here for Library information.
