…and the CEO
‘He thinks that housework is divided equally. It’s not’ Stephanie Davies, 40, CEO of Laughology
The first time Nick saw me bleach the front doorstep he stood there, mouth agape, amazed that anyone would bother doing such a thing. But I come from the North – Liverpool specifically – and I take cleaning seriously. I enjoy it. I’d happily spend a day cleaning the house from top to bottom. And I clean like a northerner, with bleach and elbow grease.
The argument that men don’t have the correct neural pathway to clean, or do the ironing, doesn’t wash with me. I’ve studied neuroscience and the myths of the male and female brain. In fact, I give conference speeches on the subject, so I’ve always known that neurologically, men and women have the same equipment with which to perform household chores. Some are just keener than others to exercise that ability.
Which is why household chores can be a contentious issue in our house, specifically the cleaning, which Nick seems to think he does, but which I know he doesn’t. In our house the split is around 70 per cent to 30 per cent, female to male, and that’s being generous.
It comes down to perception and geography. Nick’s idea of a clean is a quick once-over with a wet cloth. Occasionally he’ll run the portable Dyson over the kitchen floor too, but ignore the proper vacuum cleaner under the stairs – and the rest of the house. He argues that because we have cleaners in for an hour every two weeks, all that’s needed the rest of the time is some light maintenance.
Meanwhile, he thinks the housework is divided equally. He will put a wash on occasionally, but then forgets and leaves it in the machine all day. He irons too, usually when there are no pressed clothes in the wardrobe. He’ll empty the dishwasher and take the rubbish out, he’ll even do some gardening when pushed. The difference is, he makes a big show of it, while I just get on with it quietly.
In fairness, he does more cooking than me and will often do a shop or get food in for dinner. But he’s never once cleaned the oven.