More Jam Tomorrow Servants
Jul 3, 2025
Lucy Delap, a Professor in Modern British and Gender History, and Emma Casey, a Reader in sociology, dive into the historical and modern dynamics of domestic service. They discuss how traditional roles have transformed since World War II and the ongoing challenges women face in balancing work and domestic duties. The rise of 'cleanfluencers' is examined, revealing shifting perceptions of housework. The conversation also explores the implications of migration policies on care work and the persistent class and gender disparities within domestic labor.
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WWII Ended Traditional Servants
- World War II made domestic service untenable, as many potential servants were called for war service.
- The labor force shifted as women found better-paid, less degrading jobs during the war.
Housewife Ideal Varied By Class
- The ideal of the housewife was promoted more among working-class women who welcomed relief from industrial labor.
- Middle-class women rarely fully embraced the identity due to continuing social expectations and availability of domestic help.
Migrant and Informal Domestic Help Rise
- Postwar domestic help increasingly came from migrant and informal workers like au pairs and day cleaners.
- These workers often faced ambiguous status and high expectations without formal recognition or protections.
