IKEA: "Can I help?" Cleaning

IKEA has always tried to improve homelife for all. In fact, year after year, they study the behaviors of people inside the home because they believe that the house is a mini society that, together with others, forms a larger one, the one in which we live. From home, therefore, a fair society or one torn by inequalities can be born.For this reason, on the occasion of International Women's Day, IKEA wanted to focus on gender inequalities and in particular, on words and their importance.

In fact, when it comes to household chores, one of the most used phrases in our homes is: "Can I help?".

An expression often addressed to women, which may seem harmless, but which in reality hides a deeply misguided shared cultural attitude.
Through the formula "Can I help?" it is assumed that care and assistance work within the home are the sole responsibility of its female inhabitants.

To reflect on the use of the verb "Help" inside the home and fight gender inequalities, IKEA wanted to involve Treccani, one of the most important encyclopedias in Italy.
They did so through an open letter on social media in which they asked linguists for an authoritative point of view on the subject. The in-depth response from Treccani promptly arrived within the day.

With this message, IKEA and Treccani demonstrate how language and everyday actions are essential in fighting gender inequalities, starting from the home.