To date, there have been numerous reports suggesting that housework—such as washing dishes and vacuuming—can serve as a form of therapy. In fact, several celebrity women (no offense, but some of them have sold the rest of us out) have been quoted as saying that housework is therapeutic for them. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with a clean house, but despite all the reports and preconceived gender roles that seem to reinforce the idea that “a woman’s place is in the home,” the truth is that it’s nothing but a tangled web of lies. Washing dishes is NOT therapy. Neither is dusting, changing diapers, vacuuming, or sweeping the kitchen floor for the umpteenth time in one day.
You have to wonder if this whole “housecleaning as therapy” idea wasn’t concocted by a group of men who, after finishing a round of Saturday afternoon golf, were simply trying to ease their guilt about leaving their wives at home to tend to the kids, cooking, and cleaning, while they enjoyed a Bud Light.
So, let’s clarify: Washing dishes is NOT therapy!
Helena Bonham Carter, the UK actress and Alice in Wonderland star, recently told People Magazine:
“I’ve discovered the therapy of cleaning. I used to be retarded domestically, but now I understand that if you put your house in order, it gets your head in order as well. I know all about [cleaning product] Cillit Bang, which I use on the cooker.”
Well, Bonham Carter, no offense, but we think you’re still “retarded domestically” speaking. And chances are, very few “real” women actually know what Cillit Bang is, or can afford it. Does it come with a maid?
Supermodel Helena Christensen also recently shared with AskMen.com:
“Cleaning is the best thing for the human mind and body. Seeing all the dirt being sucked up is an instant gratification!”
And of course, winning the lottery is also a form of instant gratification.
This whole “cleaning as therapy” notion is rather outdated. While it’s easy to agree that having a clean and organized house can help reduce environmental chaos, the truth is, housework is NOT just a woman’s responsibility. For years, men have credited activities like “tweaking the Harley,” “rebuilding their dad’s old truck,” or even baling hay as therapeutic. The difference is that these activities often involve hobbies, personal interests, or even money as a reward. Housework does not.
Interestingly, several reports have attempted to estimate the monetary value of a homemaker’s work each year. One study concluded that the services of a woman with a husband and one child living in a modest-sized house would be worth a staggering $96,000 per year if she were performing the same duties outside the home. If someone were going to pay you that much money for your housecleaning efforts, it might just be considered therapy. Money therapy, which could lead to retail therapy and much less stress. But sadly, no government has yet decided to pay those dedicated individuals who see house cleaning and raising children as a fundamental duty of living a responsible life.
As difficult as it may be to admit, there are moments when having a clean, well-kept home does help to settle the soul. These attributes certainly make coming home easier and more relaxing. But the duties of maintaining a home should fall on every single person in the household, not just the woman. Men, women, and children alike should take responsibility for their living spaces and the upkeep required to maintain a clean environment. Hosting a family cleaning day, a spring cleaning session, or reorganizing closets can certainly make you feel better, as long as you’re not forced to do it—or expected to do it—every single day of the year.
The truth is, even Cinderella upgraded. She sang while she worked because she had no choice. But once the prince came along, she upgraded to a huge castle that likely came complete with servants and maids!
And if that doesn’t convince you that housework is not a form of therapy, a 2002 depression study from Harvard University will. (Because those folks know their stuff!) The study used a depression monitor and showed that while exercise and other forms of physical work actually boosted people’s moods, housework had the opposite effect on participants. The study, done again in 2008 with more clarity, showed that around 20 minutes of housework per day was beneficial for mood and depression symptoms. However, any housework done for more than 20 minutes was found to decrease mood and increase feelings of depression. So, if you have to clean, wash dishes, or vacuum, set a timer. Please, for your health’s sake, don’t clean for more than 20 minutes per day!
