Wanted, a Young Woman to Do Housework: Business principles applied to housework

by C. Hélène Barker

"Wanted, a Young Woman to Do Housework: Business Principles Applied to Housework" by C. Hélène Barker is a practical guidebook written in the early 20th century. This work addresses the challenges and inefficiencies associated with domestic labor and argues for the application of business principles to housework. The author's aim is to provide a structured and efficient approach to managing household responsibilities while employing help, which she sees as necessary for the modern household. The book is divided into sections that discuss the current unsatisfactory conditions of domestic labor, propose new business practices to improve household management, and outline specific schedules for domestic work. Barker emphasizes the need for housewives to recognize their role as efficient managers and to treat housework as a professional endeavor, rather than a mere obligation. She details the disadvantages of traditional domestic work compared to industrial employment and advocates for a limited work schedule for household employees, including the observance of legal holidays and fair compensation for overtime work. Ultimately, Barker calls for a transformation in the perception and execution of household labor to enhance efficiency and dignity within this sphere.