Do Men Really Avoid Doing Housework?
Do men really avoid doing housework? Do we really think that cleaning the house is a woman’s job? I mean, come on, we’re in the 21st Century now, so how many men honestly believe that it is not their responsibility to participate in keeping their house clean and organized?
I know men who think that because they work hard all week they deserve to rest, relax and do things that are fun for them on the weekend. Trust me, I work hard for 60+ hours at my job every week, and I like to enjoy my weekends with the family. I could not imagine sitting around the house doing “my thing” while my wife cleaned. We both work, and we both deserve time off on the weekend.
If your home is your castle, then I have a hard time understanding why your Queen is also the maid! Doesn’t seem right to me. When you don’t contribute, not only are you not showing respect to your wife, but you’re also losing respect from her in the process.
Think about it guys – you want your wife to be loving, supportive, sophisticated, and, dare I say, sexy. Why would she want to exhibit these behaviors with you when you treat her like a servant? She won’t! I would be willing to bet that housework is second only to taking care of the kids when it comes to the slow decline of a sensual marriage into a practical quagmire.
The latest video clip from the Evolution of Dad project by fellow dad and filmmaker Dana Glazer gives some insight as to why some Dads may still be living in the past and holding onto this antiquated belief system. Take a look:
In my house, everyone contributes to keeping it clean – my wife, my kids and, yes, me. We divide up the responsibilities, and we work together to keep the house in good order. We all take pride and ownership in our home. It isn’t “woman’s work,” it’s teamwork!
So, are there really men out there that still avoid doing housework? If so, I challenge you to think about what it would do for your marriage, your children, your home and your own self-esteem to change your ways. I clean the heck out of our house, and I know my wife appreciates it.
Please share your thoughts.
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Great post. I linked to it at my place. 
Comment by Jared on 16 November 2009:
I’m with ya on this. I do quite a bit of the cleaning at our house. Like the Wonder Pets say, “what’s going to work? Team work!”
Jared´s last blog ..Freeing Up Some Space…
Comment by RobMonroe on 16 November 2009:
I can’t understand men who do not clean because it’s “not their job” to do it. My wife and I share everything from house cleaning to grocery shopping to driving. Yes, I even know people who don’t drive because their hubby won’t “let” them do it when they are together. No thank you.
Let me tell you – sharing grocery shopping has changed my perspective about both how much things cost and how valuable they are to have in the house. Eye opening.
RobMonroe´s last blog ..Halloween 2009
Comment by Matt on 16 November 2009:
I think the problem that my wife and I have with cleaning and housework stems from different viewpoints on how and when it should be done. I tend to not want to do it, but I also do not want HER to do it either, and that frustrates her. More weekends than not I have said “Just forget it, babe! Let’s go hang out and have some fun.” The problem with this is that I will let things pile up until a 20-hour marathon cleaning session is required and she will do a little every day. I see it as cutting in to “fun time” too often and she sees it as minimizing “total overhaul” time.
Comment by Lori B on 16 November 2009:
Well, I am sure glad my hubby likes to clean! How else will we get our exercise besides our Saturday morning sprees? Plus, it gets done twice as quick if you both do it. Even the kdis want to help (at this age anyway!)
Lori B´s last blog ..I’m BACK!
Comment by New Dad Chris on 20 November 2009:
Like others have said, the wife and I share the responsibilities. I get of kinda easy though, she works from home so she tends to clean during the day while I am at work. I tend to make it up to her by doing the majority of laundry (ugh!)
New Dad Chris´s last blog ..Smiles Are Free… For Now
Comment by Graham on 8 December 2009:
As you say in your about page, your blog is about busting the stereotypes out there about Dads.
It will be a continual challenge for us Dads – as long as we have the media we will have stereotypes – because it’s easier to describe the world that way!
Graham (www.new-dad.com)
Comment by John on 9 December 2009:
Agree with the rest – I share the work with my wife.
Comment by Sidney on 18 December 2009:
I not only share the work with my wife, I do more of it – because her job takes more hours of the day. I have learned a lot from learning how to be a cleaning king.
I’m concerned about what schools are using to disinfect for H1N1. Cleaning supplies are often more hazardous than the H1N1virus itself. Here are some resources to help parents and teachers determine what their schools are using, and what they should be using: H1N1 in Schools and Environmental Working Group Report on Schools It all starts with asking your school how often they clean it (EVERY DAY should be the answer!).
Comment by William G. Oatiz on 3 February 2010:
Some things I just prefer to do myself, so I wash the dishes 99% of the time and make sure they are put away. I also make the beds, clean the master bath and bedroom, and do a share of the laundry.
My wife does most of the cooking and is one of those who cleans in spurts every few days. I prefer to clean a few minutes every day so I don’t have to spend 3 hours at it once a week.
William G. Oatiz´s last blog ..Great Lakes cruises | Schooners Appledore IV and Appledore V