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

People
6 months ago

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.

Please note: This article was updated in June 2021 to correct source material and factual inaccuracies.
Preview photo credit Colegio Montecastelo/Facebook

Comments

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Seriously? First off, school doesn't teach us our human rights, or the things we need the most in life, and second this isn't any gender stereotype... You do realize there oh I don't know, famous chefs, janitors, etc. who are male right? The school isn't taking initiative in to end what you call gender stereotyping, but more of as to prepare them for an independent life... Like come on, it's like you think women are slaves and that the whole world thinks the same or something...

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What about the girls? Do they study any "manly" activities there?

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This is really great idea, these guys will be such a help for their future wives ?

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I would say these skills are useful for men too.
There is a stereotype that men shouldn't cook and iron and other things, and it's a women job.
I don't agree, I love cooking and my family enjoys eating what I make

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In many countries there is a stereotype that men are supposed to do the hard job, never help their wives at home and with kids. Whole women need to sit at home, cook, clean and take care of the family
I find it outdated. It would be nice if anyone could do what they want

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You mean like the countires who are radical Muslim? Or the Arabic ones where women are treated like printers? Yea that's on par with the modern world... I live in a third world country and even though abuse is RAMPANT men need to know house work, and cooking cause GUESS WHAT it's a SURVIVAL thing... Plus a lot of people say stereotype is like the worst thing but really it isn't. For example me for the Muslim thing, like I never lived in a Muslim country nor am I one. Plus, what? A father shouldn't take care of his kids? What?

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No need to be so rude and aggressive here.
In many different countries women get treated differently, and things do not go around Muslim world.
For example, my friend told me that men in Russia don't like participating in household activities and don't play with kids a lot. They think this is the job of a women to take care of house and kids. While I think women needs some help in her daily life, and if a man can do it, he should help.

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If you'd hear me in real life you wouldn't say that xD Nah fam no worries I'm not aggressive, just expressing my opinion, the caps lock was used to say something IMPORTANT ( see what I did there?) And did I use any rude words or said "Shut up, you're stupid" kind of words?

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4 years ago
This is so personal that we just can't show it to you.

Oh yeah, I see what you mean, I didn't word it correctly. Plus isn't cooking a survival thing? Oh, and living in filth isn't really an ideal living style. That's what I meant by survival thing. And for stereotype I'll still stand by it, I still don't think it's bad, I could've just used better examples.

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2 years ago
Oops, the admin pressed "delete".

In India most of the schools private and government have home economics or home science as a subject for all students irrespective of gender. Though other subjects were given more importance but my students awaits for this class. They all are enthusiastic in learning household chores in more scientific manner.Its a step towards building healthy nation with good human beings.

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I went to a school that taught home economics aka home ec. It was an elective and boys and girls took it. I think it's a great class for every school in every country. I think it should be mandatory, not elective,though.

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