‘Fantasies and Frogs’--Men Work at Home

The editorial “Of Fantasies and Frogs” (Sept. 24) lamented the fact that a woman “will be expected to cheerfully begin her second job, at no pay at all--when she comes home at night, often to a hungry family.” Like Snow White, a woman’s labor contributes mightily to the success and pleasantness of the domicile. Surely the seven little men appreciated help with tasks that they were not very good at doing. I hope women do likewise.

Just as surely as women labor at a second job with no pay at all, so do men. Who do you think planted and maintained a garden, mowed the lawn, unplugged drains, swept the patio, fixed the car, built and installed new kitchen cabinets, painted the bathroom, bathed the dog, built a doghouse, climbed on the roof to install the television antenna, replaced the bathroom sink, pruned the trees and so on. Well, it was not Snow White.

Many a man would gladly fold a load of clothes if Snow White would crawl under the house to install a new television cable or go underneath the car to change the oil.

There needs to be recognition of the special talents and endless labor that both sexes contribute to the success of the household. Since men will probably never get any credit for “working in the home,” perhaps they could get some credit for working “on” “around” the home.

P.S. Snow White typed this letter!

JAMES A. GREGSON

Long Beach