“Housekeeper” vs. “Housewife”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “housekeeper” and “housewife”

  • A housekeeper is often employed by someone else, while a housewife manages her own household.
  • Housekeepers are paid for their services, while housewives are not.
  • A housekeeper's role is primarily to manage and maintain the household, while a housewife may have additional responsibilities such as caring for children and pets.
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What is the definition of “housekeeper” and “housewife”?

Housekeeper
  • A person who is employed to manage and maintain a household.
  • They are responsible for tasks such as cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, and organizing.
  • They may work for a single family or multiple households, and they are usually paid for their services.
Housewife
  • A woman who manages and maintains a household, typically as the primary caregiver for children and the spouse.
  • They may be responsible for cleaning, cooking, laundry, and other household tasks, as well as caring for children and running errands.
  • They are often unpaid for their work, as it is seen as a traditional role of women in the family.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Housewife” is the more popular variant on the web.
Housekeeper
32,600,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The housekeeper came every Monday to tidy the house.
  2. After a long day at work, I was grateful to come home to a clean house thanks to the housekeeper.
  3. The housekeeper was meticulous in her cleaning, ensuring every corner was spotless.
More popular
Housewife
270,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. My grandmother was a proud housewife, taking care of her family and home with love and dedication.
  2. The housewife spent her day cooking meals, doing laundry, and tending to her children's needs.
  3. In the 1950s, being a housewife was seen as the ideal occupation for women.
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