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"I do remember putting a tape recorder in a shopping basket in order to appear friendly on the doorstep." Ann Oakley - on researching Housewife.

In this programme Ann Oakley talks about how she started her research on housework and the opposition she encountered. She goes on to discuss her sampling methods, her interview techniques, the importance of keeping some social distance as well as avoiding leading questions, and why she highlighted particular case studies.

In the second part of the programme, Oakley talks about her findings: her surprise at the number of hours women were spending on housework and the isolation and dissatisfaction many of her interviewees were expressing.

Finally, she looks back on the book and discusses its relevance today and some of its conclusions, such as breaking the cycle by ‘abolishing the family’.