Talk:Homemaking

In its current form, it is not clear how the subject of Housekeeping is exclusive or different than the subject at Homemaking. The latter almost seems as though a few sections were taken from the former and reworded in a way to make the sections look like a distinct topic. In addition, both of these articles have various redirects that target then which could reasonably target either article. It just seems like unnecessary confusion to have two article for subject with such a blurry, almost nonexistent distinction between them. Steel1943 (talk) 16:36, 3 May 2022 (UTC)Reply

• Comment for what it's worth, I do see the closed merge proposal above, but the concern could be resolved by staying in Homemaking something along the lines of "The US term for this is housekeeping" or something of the like. It's kind of like how in the United States, a handbag is usually called a "purse", and the article explains this; just because a subject has a different name in another country doesn't make it a separate subject. Steel1943 (talk) 16:43, 3 May 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • Homemeaking is domestic housekeeping, it has a much narrower scope. · · · Peter Southwood ^(talk): 07:31, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • Homemaking is an exclusively US term - or anyway not used in the UK. Even apart from this, as User:Pbsouthwood says above, Housekeeping is the broader term, & any merge should be to that. Johnbod (talk) 15:10, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • The questions then are (a) whether Homemaking is a subset of domestic housekeeping, in which case it could in principle, be merged into housekeeping as a section, or (b) Homemaking largely overlaps but has some scope that is not shared with housekeeping, in which case it should not be merged, and the differences should be mentioned and if necessary, explained. If they are the same thing that should be stated in the lead, and Domestic housekeeping could be a redirect to Homemaking. I have skimmed through the discussions and comments on this page, and there seem to be quite a few opinions unsupported by evidence scattered around, but at face value, this article is big enough to stand alone, and a merge would grossly unbalance Housekeeping, so I don't support a merge. · · · Peter Southwood ^(talk): 16:41, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • A further, but related question is whether Homemaking or Domestic housekeeping should be the title of this article, based on international breadth of usage. I am currently undecided, and do not care that much, but a decision to change should be based on evidence, not local opinion. · · · Peter Southwood ^(talk): 17:06, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply
  • I am now less undecided, see below. · · · Peter Southwood ^(talk): 17:35, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply
• In the lead, there is an uncited claim A person in charge of the homemaking, who is not employed outside the home, in the US and Canada, is called a homemaker. This brings up a few questions about the scope and logic of the terminology. If true, then are people who have a daytime job, (or for that matter moonlighting) not to be considered to be homemakers? That would be a serious restriction, as that would mean most homemaking is being done by people who are not technically homemakers, which could cause some confusion among the English speaking world who are not North American. Some clarification and a strong verification are needed. I will see what I can find.· · · Peter Southwood ^(talk): 17:35, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply

  Better just to drop "who is not employed outside the home" surely? Both articles are resolutely all about the Anglosphere anyway. Johnbod (talk) 17:41, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply

  • My first hit was
    noun
    1) a person who manages the household of his or her own family, especially as a principal occupation.
    2)a person employed to manage a household and do household chores for others, as for the sick or elderly. [1]
  • also
    A homemaker is someone who spends a lot of time looking after their home and family. You usually use homemaker to refer to someone who does not have a job outside the home. [2]
  • and
    a person who manages a home and often raises children instead of earning money from a job [3]
  • and
    one who manages a household especially as a spouse and parent [4]
  • and
    a person who manages a home and takes care of the house and family as their main job [5]
  • and
    a wife who manages a household while her husband earns the family income [6]
  • and
    especially American English a woman who works at home cleaning and cooking etc and does not have another job [7]
  • and from Wiktionary, (US) A person who maintains the administration and upkeep of his or her residence, especially one who is not employed outside the home; one who runs the household. [8] which seems a fair average.
  • So opinions vary among the dictionaries. On average, a slight leaning toward not necessarily having no paid job.
  • So yes, I think we should drop the bit you mention, or add "usually" based on the reasonable evidence above. · · · Peter Southwood ^(talk): 18:07, 12 October 2022 (UTC)Reply
    • Very useful to collect the dictionary entries. The problem of dealing with changes of usage makes it difficult to decide about changes.--Johnsoniensis (talk) 15:12, 16 October 2022 (UTC)Reply