THE Tory Government has been forced to remove a "horrifically sexist" advert that asked women to stay at home to clean and homeschool children after backlash on social media.
The advert, which advises the nation to "stay home and save lives" shows four illustrations: a couple relaxing on the sofa, a woman ironing, a woman homeschooling her two children and a woman teaching her daughter how to perform household chores.
The image, which went viral across Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday, has been described by women on social media as "absolutely ridiculous" and "like a scene from the 1950s".
Jesus. there are no words. Back to the 1950s. What’s wrong with these men? His wife works does she not? Is he implying women have to do the childcare? Surely this is out of context. He cannot be this stupid or sexist... or can he? https://t.co/W5INsUtdgq
— Lorraine Candy (@lorrainecandy) January 26, 2021
Absolutely ridiculous 😡 https://t.co/UN7Tr4KUoE
— Chiara Fiaccavento (@Ch_Fiaccavento) January 28, 2021
The advert was originally posted on the Government's Facebook page but has since been deleted.
A UK Government spokesperson said: "This infographic does not reflect the Government's view and has been removed from the campaign."
Here are the best responses:
1.
I hadn’t looked at this image closely before but this is actually shocking. Ignoring the fact that most key workers are women too? https://t.co/7vDRUUONeP
— Bec Greenhalgh (@GreenhalghMiss) January 28, 2021
2.
Do they really think this is how a household functions these days? https://t.co/zYRnE9gvrO
— Derya Ozkul (@DeryaOzkul) January 28, 2021
3.
I'm so pleased to be staying home with my ironing board, mop and bucket, and functional homeschooling. Yay me and my value to society. https://t.co/2ooTvC4epE
— Lou Silver (@L0Usilver) January 28, 2021
4.
Seriously! I mean, read the room, HM Government, read the room... Wow. https://t.co/uTHoiZtpZ6
— Jeannette Mines Rodgers (@jfrodgers81) January 28, 2021
5.
Conservative messaging at its most predictable https://t.co/dGBXGYqnoM
— Oliver Bannister (@Savern101) January 28, 2021
6.
Exactly 😤 why dont they show a single man living in a house on his own doing everything himself?!?!? Sick and tired https://t.co/g6TCvROB6u
— blank (@yungfogey) January 28, 2021
7.
It is fair to say I am OUTRAGED. Apparently all the government thinks blokes should do at home is sit on the sofa 🤦🏻♀️ https://t.co/JEwgao7c2A
— Inés Soria-Donlan (@InesSoriaDonlan) January 28, 2021
8.
STAY HOME but only if you are a woman because you have some ironing to do and a child to feed. https://t.co/aPY34KzWfB
— Jessica Davies (@_JessicaDavies) January 28, 2021
9.
Hey women. Stay at home. Mop the floor. Do the childcare. Save lives. Some nice subtle reinforcement of traditional roles. https://t.co/fklWXbdRFG
— Sally Hayden (@SBossers) January 28, 2021
It comes as a poll conducted last year found women, young adults and parents are finding it hardest to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE: Why women and parents finding it hardest to cope with coronavirus
The Ipsis Mori findings show more than 60% are finding it “harder to stay positive about the future”, compared to the period before the outbreak.
But that percentage spikes when the data is broken down by sex, with more than 70% of women struggling to remain optimistic, compared with 50% of men.
Those with at least one child aged 17 or under in the household also have a bleaker view of the future, with 70% saying they are struggling.
That compares with 60% of those without children at home.
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