About this Event
THE ROOM: Unfiltered Feminist Conversations
From ‘CEO’ to ‘micromanager’: Working-class women’s experiences of domestic labour
Who really runs the home? And why is the work of keeping it all together so often invisible?
Join us for the second edition of The Room, presented by Misruptors, as we welcome Isabel Sykes to explore the realities of domestic labour and working-class women's experiences of the work that goes on behind closed doors.
From the mental load and household responsibilities to class, gender and power dynamics, we'll be unpacking the often invisible work that keeps our homes and families running.
Who takes responsibility? Who makes the decisions? Whose work gets recognised? And what happens when the person keeping everything together is also labelled the micromanager?
This is a conversation about more than just household chores. It's about expectations, inequalities, relationships and the value we place on women's labour.
What to expect
Isabel's talk begins at 7pm, followed by an open conversation where you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share your thoughts and join the discussion.
Whether you have something to say, a question to ask or simply want to listen and take it all in, you're very welcome.
We'll bring the main discussion to a close at 8:30pm, but we're not rushing anyone out!
You're welcome to stay until 9pm to chat with Isabel, connect with other people in the room, exchange thoughts, continue the debate (because we know some of you won't be finished!) and enjoy a few light bites on us.
Sometimes the best conversations happen after the microphones are switched off.
A few questions to get you thinking...
- What exactly is the 'mental load', and can it ever really be shared?
- How do popular cultural images of domestic life shape our expectations and experiences?
You don't need to be an expert in feminism, domestic labour or class to join the conversation. Whether you've got thoughts about the mental load, have experienced the realities of keeping a household running, are curious about the expectations placed on women or simply want to hear a different perspective, you're welcome in The Room.
About The Room
The Room is a conversation series by Misruptors, bringing people together to explore the ideas, experiences and social issues that shape women's lives. We make space for research, lived experience, questions and conversations that continue long after the event ends.
Come curious. Leave with questions worth thinking about.
We look forward to welcoming you in.
Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 06:45 PM
Doors open
Info: if you arrive early, you're welcome to grab a drink or something to eat from the Bush Theatre bar before we open the doors to The Attic at 6:45pm. Show your Room ticket at the bar for 20% off drinks and 10% off food. Once inside The Attic, complimentary light bites and refreshments will be waiting for you
🕑: 06:45 PM - 07:00 PM
Welcome to The Room
Info: Come on in, grab yourself a bite and a refreshment, find a seat. We'll introduce the evening and welcome our guest speaker before getting into the conversation.
🕑: 07:00 PM - 08:15 PM
Guest Speaker - Isabel Sykes
Info: Isabel will be presenting findings from interviews with 13 working-class and low-income women across the UK, exploring their experiences of domestic labour at a time when keeping a household running has become increasingly challenging.
Against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and years of austerity, the demands of unpaid domestic work and caring responsibilities have become increasingly difficult to manage, yet remain undervalued.
The talk will explore the tensions between the realities of women's everyday lives and the romanticised images of domesticity we see in popular culture, from tradwife influencers to televised housewives.
Drawing on women's lived experiences, Isabel will unpack three key themes: navigating unattainable ideals of domestic life, the complexities of delegating and micromanaging household responsibilities, and the often invisible burden of the 'mental load'.
It's an opportunity to look beyond the familiar assumptions!
🕑: 08:15 PM - 08:30 PM
Open conversation & audience Q&A
Info: Your questions, thoughts and perspectives are welcome. Let's get into it!
🕑: 08:30 PM - 09:00 PM
The conversation continues
Info: Stay, connect and chat with Isabel and other attendees over some light bites.
🕑: 09:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Close
Info: Time to say our goodbyes until the next Room!
Come for the conversation, stay for the connections.
Event venue & nearby stays
Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, London, United Kingdom
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