Theory
I have a theory about just this sort of thing..... in caveman times (and the like, anything pre 1962 basically) men needed to be fit as the proverbial to go hunting, anyone carrying anything that might affect the hunting team even slightly would become a massive liability therefore they would immediately need to stop doing anything at all so as to recover quickly (in birdspeak having 'manflu'). Women who would be doing the incredibly sexist things such as tending to the cavekids, food, clearing up mammoth tusks etc. would naturally need to carry on through illness lest the more helpless kids be at risk. They would also be able to take advantage of the less performance oriented nature (but no less challenging of course, trust me I have been a househusband I do know how tough it is) of being a homemaker. Apologies for boringness.
( number5 has been fighting tramps and losing., Mon 28 Dec 2009, 0:00, Reply)