Europa

Home Portfolio

40. Leading, directing and governing

The household

Localiser les objets

In traditional society, social maturity implied control of the family's material and symbolic resources. In addition to its agrarian or artisanal occupations, the domestic community took part in the housework. The tasks were not equally divided between men and women, even if the women ran the domestic economy and managed work inside the house and its outhouses. The distaff, used for spinning, is the attribute of the virtuous woman's authority and duties. Although it is no longer part of daily life, the distaff still conveys ancient symbolic values, which are found in folk tales and popular expressions.

---