Hygiene seen as a female domain

Social norms and taboos guide not only how we talk about hygiene, but also to whom. The Hygiene Matters Survey confirms that hygiene is in many ways still seen as a “female domain”.

For both men and women, the Hygiene Matters Survey shows that when we do talk to someone about personal hygiene, our talking partner is more often a woman than a man. For women, a majority have talked to a female friend or their mother, whereas fewer have discussed it with their partners. Looking specifically at menstruation, the survey shows that almost seven in ten women have never talked about it with their partner, despite it being a monthly occurrence for adult women.

Regardless of speaking partner, men also talk about matters connected to personal hygiene to a lesser extent than women. One in four men surveyed even say they never talk to anyone about issues connected to personal hygiene at all.

Hygiene Matters Survey 2016/17

Have you ever talked about matters connected to personal hygiene with any of the following people you know?

Survey: Have you ever talked about matters connected to personal hygiene with any of the following people you know? (bar chart)

Read more: Hygiene Matters Survey 2016/17.