Fifty years ago, it was the norm for the husband to bring home the bacon and his wife to fry it in the pan. He would be working full time and the only one out of the household working. The wife would stay home, cleaning, taking care of the children, and have a meal prepared for her husband when he got home from work. Times have changed.
Today, economy pretty much requires two incomes to make ends meet in the common household. Most women are willing to go to work full time, and they are. But what about the household chores? Are men today helping out in that department?
It has always been my belief that men and women are equal, and so they should share things equally. In other words, if a woman is living with a man and she is working as much as he is, and contributing to an equal portion of the rent, bills, and other financial expenses as her spouse is, then he should be respectful enough to help out with cleaning and other “women’s work.” Why should a woman be expected to share working and financial responsibilities and do all of the household chores? That would be pure nonsense. But unfortunately, I am seeing more and more examples of this expectation. To me, this is not just a sign of laziness, but a lack of respect. I mean, it’s only fair, right? What is wrong with a woman asking her man to help with a chore, and how is she supposed to react when he refuses or tries to get out of it?
I don’t know about anyone else, but I find it a turn on when a man helps his woman out around the house every once in a while. Now, I know that there is work that is conventionally described as “a man’s job,” like changing a tire and such. As for me, I wouldn’t mind at all helping a guy work on the car, I don’t find myself above doing things like that.
What do you think about gender roles today versus fifty years ago? In your household, who works and who is the housekeeper, or is it shared?
“how is she supposed to react when he refuses or tries to get out of it?”
She kicks him to the curb. That’s how.
I understand that. I do think though that this is a problem that should try to be worked out.
This perfectly describes my last marriage. We divorced because of this very issue. We both worked full time and payed bills but he wanted me doing all of the ‘bitch work’ as he put it. He was just too damn good to do laundry on his day off when I had to work. It sounds like a really odd thing to break up about, and I can understand a man complaining a couple times, but if he continuously refuses to help out while you are helping him out money wise, then he’s gotta go. It’s sexist and no woman should be treated like you described.
I’m sorry your marriage ended like that!
Great blog! It’s nice to see someone writing about womens issues.
Thanks! There are a lot of important issues that I have in mind that I plan on covering on here. Women’s issues happens to be among the top of the list.
Good call Ashley. Anna my wife doesn’t want to work and I support her in that. But I also help around the house. My job lasts 9 to 5 (not quite but you know what I mean), Anna’s job lasts from 7 to 7 and then on to 10 if I don’t help. So I do some hoovering, bath the kids, cook quite a lot. Can’t stand dusting and ironing is a pure waste of time. I find the washing up therapeutic! Don’t idolise me though! I am moody – that breaks down a stereotype and I can be lazy. I don’t suffer from man flu!
Just to widen your points slightly, I am about to blog about racism. With all these isms I don’t find any fit. Why hate all black people simply because they are black. Nonsense. Some guy might cut me up in the car and I am angry with him, doesn’t matter what colour his skin is. Same thing with some guy doing me a good turn…. do I look on the colour of his skin. No just say thanks. I feel the same about women. They are property, they are not breasts or bums or legs, they are my sisters or my mum or my daughters, or most important to me my Anna. I understand the whole men see visually, women look on the inside but guess what men you can look on the inside to.
Anyway, I’ll shut my rant up now. I must admit I am sometimes embarrassed to be a man. But I don’t watch chick flicks and I won’t cry at them!