Shouldn't Everyone Be Able To Do Their Own Laundry? I Mean, How Old Are We?

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BACKGROUND INFO :

It actually took me a couple of tries to write a title that's appropriate for this particular post. I figured the one I finally chose is suitable and not filled with rage.

Anywho, word has it that a British apparel company called Mad House recently wrote sexist instructions in their mens trousers washing instruction label. As can be seen in the image above, the label shows the real instructions (that everyone should be able to do at a certain age...especially if this is a MEN'S trousers line...keyword: MEN'S...not little boys - MEN) and then an alternative to being able to do something that most adult humans of both genders can do, however, that particular alternative got them into a ton of trouble.

This alternative is:
"GIVE IT TO YOUR WOMAN/IT'S HER JOB"

Yeah, um, sexist much?

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THE STITCH :

(See what I did there?)

So apparently the company is denying that they think that they believe that laundry is strictly a woman's job.  They're also now claiming that they do not proofread the care instructions of their products that are stocked in their store. The company has not issued a statement and are not responding to phone and email requests for comments. They have, however, responded to select few tweets that are defending Madhouse and saying that the instruction labels are comical, not offensive. They also promise to proofread their labels before putting them on shelves, but still stand behind the fact that they found it "comical."

Knowledge of this was mainly brought about by British journalist Emma Barnett because she tweeted about how shocked she was to see this in her boyfriend's pants label over the weekend while tidying the house. She stated that she normally can stomach and smile along with what can be considered as casual sexist banter, but she felt as though this truly took it too far. Some agree with her, some think that it's hilarious, and some want to know where they can buy a pair.

So what's wrong with this?

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JESSICA SAYS :

I generally can also stomach or occasionally laugh at stupid sexist statements, too, however, I think this crosses the line. How could this company produce such trousers and  how on earth can the store not have noticed this in their shipment? I mean, it's not like they just got one pair, they got a stock of them. It's not like they don't know of the stereotype of women and the old-fashioned stereotypical expectation that women should be the only one to do the housework and have vast knowledge of domestically.

I also think it's dumb that the company is not issuing an apology. Even though they claim that they will proofread their labels more, they're only saying that because of the backlash - not to mention that they never bothered to apologize. I think it's fairly obvious that the store's owner does not care about the fact that some took this "joke" offensively. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he found it humorous.

I'm not saying if I were living with a man, that I wouldn't offer to do both of our laundry; however, it's a two-way street.  And he sure as Hell will know better than to crack sexist jokes...just saying.

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JESSICA SAYS :

• Do you find this label humorous or offensive?
• What do you think about the fact that the store never apologized to those who were offended?
• Can you do your own laundry, male or female?

~xxj