Can you do self-insemination at home ?
Just like the controversial figure who shall remain nameless, I prefer not to give too much attention to the recent outburst from a certain lifestyle influencer regarding her privilege. While she seems to welcome any negative attention (#notrelatable), her remarks serve as a prime example of a broader issue faced by many privileged individuals who refer to their housekeeper simply as “the individual who cleans my bathrooms.”
The crux of the issue lies in their inability to separate us from the domestic tasks we perform; they reduce us to the most—what they perceive as—demeaning aspects of our jobs. Cleaning a bathroom is not the most humiliating task I’ve encountered, nor am I ashamed to claim it as part of my work. The real challenge of being a housekeeper is navigating the attitudes of those who believe I should be grateful for their disposable income, as if their financial success translates to my fortune.
Relying on money from individuals who are oblivious to their privilege is hardly what I consider fortunate. It was simply a job, and at times it felt like self-sacrifice.
I spent several years as a full-time house cleaner before transitioning to being a stay-at-home parent. Once my children entered kindergarten, I returned to cleaning for a select few clients. Over the years, I’ve juggled part-time cleaning with freelancing and providing trainings focused on LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, both locally and nationally.
I carry a wealth of stories and experiences that have shaped me, some of which entertain while others provoke cringing memories. Though I offered the same level of service and charged uniform rates, the clients who wrote the checks were often worlds apart. At one point, I managed 25 different households, and some homeowners treated me as if I existed solely to meet their demands and scrutiny.
I eventually replaced those who insisted I not wear shoes in their homes (I used indoor sneakers to alleviate discomfort), questioned whether I used the toilet sponge on kitchen surfaces (absolutely not), demanded I pay taxes on my earnings (where do I even begin?), and recoiled when I revealed I also held a degree from a major university (yes, we share similar educational backgrounds). I made it clear they needed to find another cleaner.
In the early stages of building my business, I was compelled to maintain a full schedule—even if it meant tolerating clients who left a mess, believing there was no reason for them to make my job easier. For the clients I valued and retained, the answer was simple: paying me wasn’t merely a transaction—it came with respect and appreciation for the comfort I provided in their lives. One client affectionately referred to me as her “House Angel,” a title I still ponder why I haven’t added to my resume.
As a business owner providing a service, I recognize my role as hired help. However, when my work is reduced to merely cleaning urine off a bathroom floor, I cease being seen as a human being, a friend, a parent, or a partner. You fail to recognize that I’m someone who doesn’t mind cleaning bathrooms but also aspires to return to school, write a novel, and achieve financial stability. You overlook my need for affordable healthcare, paid time off, and a retirement plan.
In her now-deleted TikTok rant, the influencer claimed, “Most people won’t work this hard. Most people won’t get up at 4 a.m. Most people won’t fail publicly again and again just to reach the top of the mountain.” In reality, many of us do, but the distinction is that we lack the luxury of failure. Achieving success often requires perfection, favorable circumstances, and the absence of discrimination.
When discussing progress in women’s rights, I won’t reiterate Austin Channing Brown’s insights, but I highly recommend you watch her perspective on the problematic feminism displayed by the influencer. If you learn from her, sharing her work with proper credit would be essential.
When you downplay the contributions of those like me who enter your home to work, you fail to recognize the time you have for work, exercise, family activities, and rest—thanks to my presence. You overlook the advantage of hiring help, an opportunity for your own physical, mental, and financial growth. By minimizing domestic workers, you also diminish the support that allows you to succeed.
Your housekeeper didn’t ghostwrite your books or embark on exhausting book tours, but having a cleaner certainly afforded you time for both—and to return home and unwind instead of cleaning. When you claim that your hard work and financial means justify having someone clean your home, you imply that my efforts and interpretation of success are inferior to yours. I’m striving for financial security after a divorce and years spent out of the workforce. My days look vastly different from those of privileged individuals flaunting their lives on social media, yet hard work remains a commonality.
So, let’s wash away that egg from your face.
For more insightful content, consider checking out our other blog posts, including one on educational reform, which can be found here: U.S. Education Reform.
If you’re looking for reliable information on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is highly recommended. Additionally, check out Intracervical Insemination for authoritative insights on the topic.
Summary:
This article emphasizes the importance of recognizing the humanity and value of domestic workers, highlighting the disrespect often shown by clients who reduce their contributions to mere tasks. It discusses the author’s experiences in the cleaning industry, the challenges faced due to clients’ attitudes, and the broader implications of minimizing domestic work. The narrative calls for a deeper appreciation of the services provided by domestic workers and challenges the notions of privilege and success.