International Women’s Day is coming up. When we talk about emancipation in the Netherlands, there is still a long way to go. While we agree that equality and equity are important, our lifestyle does not reflect that ideal.

Young adults in the Netherlands (25-35 years old) believe that fighting inequality between the genders is the most important challenge. The Volkskrant newspaper recently polled 2100 people and came up with this result. Amongst couples that live together, more than 6 out of 10 say they aim to maintain equity in care and household tasks; men even more so than women. In practice, however, we still divvy up the tasks according to traditional patterns.

More men work fulltime (56% vs 22%), and women do more in terms of household chores (1.5 times more) and childcare (twice as much as men).

The main cause? It’s because we still think in terms of stereotypes (atria.nl).

Statistically, men tend to think that they need to choose certain careers because they are more masculine, enter industries where working fulltime is the norm, and maintain more traditional ideas about (child)care and household chores. This results in men working more and doing less at home.

When couples move in together, the division is even more skewed: 15% of women begin working less hours, compared to 6.1% of men. And if kids enter the picture? Then 70% of women and 10% of men will work less, and 80% of women will pick up more (child)care compared with 40% of men.

When you consider these facts, it’s clear that equity has not made its way past the front door. What do you think about it? Let us know your opinions through our survey in the TU Delft Library Hall (by the Student Activity Portal) or through Instagram!

Wednesday, March 8th, Studium Generale of the TU Delft will co-host the official opening of the International Women’s Day in Delft, at the DOK public library. Listen to an interview with diverse guests and share your own experiences during the discussion.