Letter: Help? Do us a favour

Sir: In your summary of the Good Housekeeping survey on the division of household chores ('Women 'give housework low priority',' 6 June), you wrote that 'men delude themselves into thinking they help out'.

The use of the words 'help out' to describe men's contribution implies that housework is the responsibility of women, and that men, by 'helping out', are doing women a favour. Perhaps men would do more of their fair share if they believed it to be their responsibility, and not just an enlightened 1990s-style favour to their partners.

Using terms such as 'help out' to describe men's contribution only serves to perpetuate the outmoded idea that housework is women's work.

Yours sincerely,

LORI B. NAGLE

London, SW18

7 June

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