BAEC HHA - Is 'Head of the Household' a sexist term?
#76
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
Good point c-w-s.
I'm a bit confused by her assertion that HoH means male. I figure the term was coined generally to be more inclusive than previous terms like "man of the house" or similar. The fact that the majority of households may have been led by men doesn't make it a de facto requirement for the role. If someone chooses to interpret it that way, I'd see that as saying something about their own bias.
I'm a bit confused by her assertion that HoH means male. I figure the term was coined generally to be more inclusive than previous terms like "man of the house" or similar. The fact that the majority of households may have been led by men doesn't make it a de facto requirement for the role. If someone chooses to interpret it that way, I'd see that as saying something about their own bias.
#77
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Balham - Gateway to The South
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 2,020
I am assuming that BA needs to have a nominated person for admin purposes?
I am assuming it is not like my personal laptop where everyone can be an admin.
c-w-s makes a very valid point - households come in all shapes and sizes, the Professor runs the risk of being sexist herself.
IMO it is an outdated concept that the HOH is a male in a m/f household, I even thought that 40+ years ago when the LEB (London Electricity Board) told me I needed my husbands signature - which they duly got - I signed my husbands name in front of them !
In this more enlightened age you would hope we could all be more grown up about it.
I am assuming it is not like my personal laptop where everyone can be an admin.
c-w-s makes a very valid point - households come in all shapes and sizes, the Professor runs the risk of being sexist herself.
IMO it is an outdated concept that the HOH is a male in a m/f household, I even thought that 40+ years ago when the LEB (London Electricity Board) told me I needed my husbands signature - which they duly got - I signed my husbands name in front of them !
In this more enlightened age you would hope we could all be more grown up about it.
#78
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Angus Scotland
Programs: BAEC Bronze, LH M&M
Posts: 177
Well shiver me timbers.................turns out I am the Head of the account (we didn't have a clue which one of us was). Mr RR does all the bookings and changes!
BA can call me whatever they like as long as they get me safely from A to B. It's a pity women like this have nothing more to worry about.
And now that I know I'm the head I feel very empowered. I can't stop and talk though as Mr RR wants me to bake him cake and put the kettle on. ;-)
BA can call me whatever they like as long as they get me safely from A to B. It's a pity women like this have nothing more to worry about.
And now that I know I'm the head I feel very empowered. I can't stop and talk though as Mr RR wants me to bake him cake and put the kettle on. ;-)
#79
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,552
#80
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: southampton
Programs: BAEC GGL, Virgin Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 257
Speaking as a female the only offensive thing about any of this is her ridiculous attitude. It is things like this that give people reason to ridicule feminism.
When I had a household account with hubby, I was the Head of it. There is no gender reference to it whatsoever. Doesn't matter who you have in it, there needs to be someone who is the lead. It's the same with other similar schemes. Who you choose to be head/lead is your own problem!
When I had a household account with hubby, I was the Head of it. There is no gender reference to it whatsoever. Doesn't matter who you have in it, there needs to be someone who is the lead. It's the same with other similar schemes. Who you choose to be head/lead is your own problem!
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,189
Speaking as a male BA Head of Household, the whole thing is anachronistic. Why my wife shouldn't be able to change our address or do other tasks without running to me is unexplainable. I am not her boss nor her personal secretary. The sma e holds true if it were reversed.
Ladies and gentlemen, do not be cowed into false reasonableness over charges of radical and ridiculous feminism. This is about fairness and the modern way of life with which the household account has not caught up.
Ladies and gentlemen, do not be cowed into false reasonableness over charges of radical and ridiculous feminism. This is about fairness and the modern way of life with which the household account has not caught up.
#82
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,928
Speaking as a male BA Head of Household, the whole thing is anachronistic. Why my wife shouldn't be able to change our address or do other tasks without running to me is unexplainable. I am not her boss nor her personal secretary. The sma e holds true if it were reversed.
Ladies and gentlemen, do not be cowed into false reasonableness over charges of radical and ridiculous feminism. This is about fairness and the modern way of life with which the household account has not caught up.
Ladies and gentlemen, do not be cowed into false reasonableness over charges of radical and ridiculous feminism. This is about fairness and the modern way of life with which the household account has not caught up.
I see nothing wrong with that at all, the primary member is ultimately responsible for all the administration of the account. Nothing sexist (implied or otherwise), and certainly nothing to get one's knickers in a twist
#83
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
BA simply requires one member of the household account be designated as the primary member to act as administrator and be solely responsible for updating the household address and for adding or removing members and will be the primary contact for the administration of the Household Account.
I see nothing wrong with that at all, the primary member is ultimately responsible for all the administration of the account. Nothing sexist (implied or otherwise), and certainly nothing to get one's knickers in a twist
I see nothing wrong with that at all, the primary member is ultimately responsible for all the administration of the account. Nothing sexist (implied or otherwise), and certainly nothing to get one's knickers in a twist
#84
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,189
BA simply requires one member of the household account be designated as the primary member to act as administrator and be solely responsible for updating the household address and for adding or removing members and will be the primary contact for the administration of the Household Account.
I see nothing wrong with that at all, the primary member is ultimately responsible for all the administration of the account. Nothing sexist, nothing to get one's knickers in a twist
I see nothing wrong with that at all, the primary member is ultimately responsible for all the administration of the account. Nothing sexist, nothing to get one's knickers in a twist
I understand that many people are fixated on whether the term is sexist. I would think that the whole setup is probably a leftover from a more sexist era.
The program should be set up to operate for today's world. I'm sorry if you think that's unreasonable or upsetting. Seems quite reasonable to me that either my wife or myself could make appropriate changes.
#85
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,928
Modern families tend to share a lot of responsibilities. There's no reason there can't be a co-head and equal rights for adults in the account.
I understand that many people are fixated on whether the term is sexist. I would think that the whole setup is probably a leftover from a more sexist era.
The program should be set up to operate for today's world. I'm sorry if you think that's unreasonable or upsetting. Seems quite reasonable to me that either my wife or myself could make appropriate changes.
I understand that many people are fixated on whether the term is sexist. I would think that the whole setup is probably a leftover from a more sexist era.
The program should be set up to operate for today's world. I'm sorry if you think that's unreasonable or upsetting. Seems quite reasonable to me that either my wife or myself could make appropriate changes.
We are only 'fixated' on the sexism epithet becuase that's what BA has been accused of and what topic is about!
BA has provided a fantastic benefit, it has called it a Household Account. The primary member of that account is called the Head of Household Account - what is wrong or sexist or offensive about that?
#86
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,189
We are talking about a single point of contact for a group, it's not a unique concept and it certainly isn't one that is exclusive to the BA Household Account. By having a single person responsible for adding and removing members, or changing address it makes the administration of the account easy and it avoids BA having to act as mediator if someone doesn't like the changes.
We are only 'fixated' on the sexism epithet becuase that's what BA has been accused of and what topic is about!
We are only 'fixated' on the sexism epithet becuase that's what BA has been accused of and what topic is about!
Whether the term is sexist is one part of the topic, but previous posters have already questioned other aspects of the household account and this makes what I posted a relevant part of the thread.
I do understand the landmine that any criticism of BA in here tends to be and figure that it doubles if there are any hot button issues mixed in like sexism.
#87
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,552
We are talking about a single point of contact for a group, it's not a unique concept and it certainly isn't one that is exclusive to the BA Household Account. By having a single person responsible for adding and removing members, or changing address it makes the administration of the account easy and it avoids BA having to act as mediator if someone doesn't like the changes.
We are only 'fixated' on the sexism epithet becuase that's what BA has been accused of and what topic is about!
BA has provided a fantastic benefit, it has called it a Household Account. The primary member of that account is called the Head of Household Account - what is wrong or sexist or offensive about that?
We are only 'fixated' on the sexism epithet becuase that's what BA has been accused of and what topic is about!
BA has provided a fantastic benefit, it has called it a Household Account. The primary member of that account is called the Head of Household Account - what is wrong or sexist or offensive about that?
#88
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,928
Isn't the issue that BA has used the term "Head of Household" rather than "Head of Household Account"? The addition of that word would probably have meant the complaint to BA never happened in the first place (whether that complaint is justified, or an over-sensitive reaction, of course depends on your point of view).
#89
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: South East England
Programs: Status with BA Exec Club; KrisFlyer; Hilton Honors; IHG One; Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 543
Speaking as a male BA Head of Household, the whole thing is anachronistic. Why my wife shouldn't be able to change our address or do other tasks without running to me is unexplainable. I am not her boss nor her personal secretary.
...
This is about fairness and the modern way of life with which the household account has not caught up.
...
This is about fairness and the modern way of life with which the household account has not caught up.
you should not need a sole account admin and...
... if you do it should be called 'account admin' not bleedin 'head of the household' like some Victorian census form.
Come to think of it sharing money with my partner through a joint account is easier than sharing Avios!
#90
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
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Posts: 16,032
Ditto life is too short to post about stuff that life is too short for ....