Shifts in British perspectives from school assignments to domestic chores: An exploration of gender dynamics since the 1930s.

Despite the everyday tasks of life, like homework after school and weekend chores, remaining unchanged over the past 80 years, the societal attitudes toward them have shifted dramatically.
A study from the Policy Institute at King’s College London compared public attitudes in the 1930s and 1940s to today, highlighting significant changes in perspectives on daily life in Britain.
While children may still find homework unappealing, today seven out of ten people believe students should be required to do homework in their spare time after school. In contrast, only two out of ten people supported homework in 1937, with 79% opposing it.

Shift in opinions regarding single-sex education has been noted. In 1946, 43% supported the separation of boys and girls in education, but now three-quarters (76%) prefer them to be taught together.
Changes in household dynamics are evident, with only 4% of men now admitting to not helping with household chores, compared to 24% 80 years ago. However, research suggests women still undertake more housework than men.
According to the Office for National Statistics, women in 2024 spend an average of 3 hours and 32 minutes per day on unpaid work, including housework and caregiving, which is 57 minutes more than men on average.
Women’s attitudes towards their gender have improved, with only 1 in 11 women today saying they would prefer to be men, down from nearly four in 10 in 1947. Men’s attitudes have remained consistent, with only about 1 in 20 expressing a desire to be women.
Attitudes towards fitness and work have transformed over the decades, with the majority (66%) now saying they exercise to stay fit. In 1937, 56% of the population did not prioritize exercise. Additionally, the ability to swim has increased from about half in 1946 to 79% today.
The priority of job security over high wages has also shifted. 80 years ago, 73% of people preferred job security, while only 23% valued high wages. In 2024, opinion is more divided, with 46% considering high wages more important.
Difficulty in getting up to go to work persists, with 40% of people struggling, unchanged from 1947. Women tend to find it harder than men.
These findings are part of a larger series of studies examining societal and political changes in Britain and are based on historical poll comparisons with a recent survey of 1,000 UK adults.
Prof Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, highlights some of the examined changes, providing explanations for the shifts in attitudes and behaviors.