A Spanish School Teaches Household Chores to Boys, and It’s a Brilliant Initiative Against Gender Inequality

Ironing, sewing, and cooking are basic tasks that most people learn at home. But it’s totally different when a school offers this as an additional class, so that the students, particularly boys, build values in regards to gender equality and break the stigmas they face when doing these activities. That’s what the Montecastelo School of Spain teaches its students: “Equality is learned with facts.”

We at Bright Side have been interested in every detail of this initiative, and decided to share it to motivate other institutions and children to practice it.

Housework regardless of gender

The school announced that it would include lessons in home economics, among other subjects. During these lessons, its male students would be taught to do tasks like ironing, sewing, cooking, and other manual activities like carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrician skills.

“It is not that difficult.”

Gabriel Bravo, the coordinator of these activities, explained to a newspaper that all the activities were carried out because, “Cooking was fine with them, but when it came to sewing or ironing, some of them smiled in disbelief. Curiously, when the activity began, they realized that it was an activity that a man can do perfectly and that it is not that difficult.”

Breaking stereotypes

These lessons can help students realize that these are simple activities that both men and women can do if they just follow a few simple steps. Mothers and fathers have also gotten involved with teaching these lessons at the school.

A life lesson you’ll never forget

“They had a certain reluctance, but they embraced it with a positive attitude. For some it was the first time that they had an iron in their hand,” said Bravo during an interview.

What do you think about this initiative? Do you know another school where similar classes are being implemented? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.