Letter: A housewife's many skills

Ms Lesley Williams
Friday 05 February 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: To get a most 'honest' costing your recent report (' pounds 18,000 price tag on working wife, 3 February') should go farther and include not just domestic/physical chores.

How about costing some of the other skills needed by this multi- talented group (male and female), ie, negotiating/diplomatic skills required to resolve all levels of family squabbles etc. Teaching skills are also required combined with basic understanding of various levels of engineering - why do aeroplanes fly? how do drains work? what makes car wheels go round? And the courage required to answer awkward questions when the world can hear - in a crowded cafe, for example - 'Mummy, why hasn't that man got any hair?'

What professional is one minute changing a nappy and the next explaining why wars happen?

Yours faithfully,

LESLEY WILLIAMS

King's Stanley,

Gloucestershire

4 February

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in