National Housewife Day

National Housewife Day is celebrated in the United States on October 3 every year to honor women who maintain cleanliness in the house, raise children, and create an aura of coziness and comfort. Often, the work of housewives goes unrecognized and this is not fair, considering they work 7 days a week!

History

The origin of the holiday is unknown, but it is evident that whoever created it understood the importance of recognizing the work of housewives. Stories are plentiful of husbands coming home from work and blaming their wives for not working, while dinner is on the table and shirts are ironed in the dressing room of a clean house.

Housewives have been around for a long time, with many different tasks throughout the centuries. In the 19th century, families of above average income allowed themselves to stay at home while women of other means attempted to find paid work. By the 20th century, many couples had decided that the woman could focus on the children while the husband went to work.

The purpose of the holiday is to give moms and wives a break! As modern society has become more aware of housework’s importance, men have begun to share in some of the tasks, something that was not practiced before.

Fun facts

• Housewives spend an average of 90 hours a week on household chores and this number is only increasing.
• The term ‘housewife’ first appeared in the 13th century.
• In ancient Greece, a wife wasn’t accepted in her husband’s house until she gave birth to her first child.
• In medieval Europe, housewives were not allowed to divorce their spouses.
• Sigmund Freud believed that women were born housewives and that those who wished to pursue a career were neurotic.

How to take part

Send bouquets, sweets, and postcards with kind words to housewives you know. Give them a certificate to visit a beauty salon! If you live in the same house, do your share of the work. Watch (or re-watch) Desperate Housewives, a series designed to draw attention to the housewives who stay home while everyone else goes to work.

When is National Housewife Day celebrated in 2023?

National Housewife Day is observed on November 3 each year.

Observations