Washing Machine Poverty

Hans Rosling told a heartwarming story of how the washing machine allowed his mother to pursuit education which ultimately, permitted Rosling to become a professor. Likewise, I also believe the washing machine has made the world better for people in poverty especially for women. I, like Rosling, grew up where my grandmother and mom washed clothes by hand. Washing, child care, and house chores were commonly given to women who spent “a large part of their life doing this hard work with so relatively low productivity” (Rosling). The washing machine free up time in the day and allowed these individuals to socialize with friend, rest, or spend their time on other work. Furthermore, the washing machine also allowed women and children who “spent hours

However, Nye would argue that the washing machine does not necessary make everyone’s lives better because this technology also has its production and maintained cost. He believes the applications such as the washing machine would “push unskilled workers, who spent their lives getting water into factory work” (Nye, 119). The time that was spent washing will force individuals to find work to make money to provide for the base cost of purchasing the machine, the cost of maintenance, and the cost using the machine. Additionally, people in poverty would go to other physically demanding jobs such as field work. There is no benefit in purchasing a machine. Furthermore, Nye argues that “appliances that entered the home, men and children tended to withdraw from domestic work, leaving mothers to do most of it alone” (Nye, 127). The washing machine would only enforce perpetuate pre-existing gender stereotypes and women are further forced to complete chores without help from their family (Nye, 128). Thusly, does not provide more equality for women nor does it grant individuals the ability to efficiently use the free time because the time spent on making