domestic work
[/dəˈmɛstɪk wɜrk/]
noun
trabalho doméstico
1. Work performed in a household, including cleaning, cooking, laundry, childcare, and other household maintenance tasks
She spends most of her day doing domestic work around the house.
Ela passa a maior parte do dia fazendo trabalho doméstico em casa.
2. Paid labor performed by domestic workers or housekeepers in someone else's home
The family hired someone to help with domestic work during the week.
A família contratou alguém para ajudar com o trabalho doméstico durante a semana.
3. Unpaid household labor, traditionally associated with women
Domestic work has historically been undervalued in society.
O trabalho doméstico tem sido historicamente desvalorizado na sociedade.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, domestic work has traditionally fallen disproportionately on women. In Brazil, domestic workers (often called 'diaristas' or 'empregadas domésticas') are a significant part of the workforce, with many middle and upper-class households employing paid help. The term carries sociological weight when discussing gender equality and labor rights. In the USA, discussions of domestic work often center on gender equity and the undervaluation of household labor. In Brazil, there are specific labor laws protecting domestic workers' rights, though enforcement has historically been inconsistent.
Related Idioms & Phrases
domestic goddess - a woman skilled at housework
division of domestic labor - how household tasks are distributed among family members
domestic sphere - the private realm of the home and household
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