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What would you personally consider ‘man’s work’ (if any)

188 replies

Smyths · 30/06/2020 20:34

Just curious really. I’m a bit of a feminist type and feel like I should be able to do everything a man can and be self sufficient but just means I feel hopeless when I realise I can’t. I often expect too much of myself beyond my capabilities.

What do you personally consider man’s work (if any) and would always delegate/ask a male in your family to do?

OP posts:
LordEmsworth · 30/06/2020 20:35

Literally nothing. There are things I can't do, or don't want to do, and will hire someone to do, but I don't specify that they have to be a man.

whitershadeofpale · 30/06/2020 20:39

I don’t see things as ‘man’s work’ but there are household jobs that DP does as he’s taller and they’re easier for him (he’s been up in the loft today for example). If something needs doing though and he’s not here I wouldn’t wait for him. Likewise I might sew a button on for him because I am quite good and quick but he would —dare— dream of leaving one for me to do.

Violetroselily · 30/06/2020 20:42

Taking the bins out

gonewiththerain · 30/06/2020 20:43

Anything to do with drains. I’m quite knowledgeable about drains and plumbing but I’m not dealing with drains myself.

wagtailred · 30/06/2020 20:43

I think men are better suited to things that require physical strenghth on average. Luckily we have lots of tools and machines that help mitigate that. (Although some of those tools are made men sized so more could be done) For example there arent many female scaffolders.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 30/06/2020 20:44

All the stuff I don't like doing such as cleaning the bathrooms and hoovering. Actually given that the only people in our house who pee on the floor are male, cleaning bathrooms is definitely men's work (and dh does it).

Dh and I mostly (bathrooms and hoovering aside) either do things together or whoever finds it, fixes it. He is physically stronger and taller than me though which gives him an advantage in some areas, moving furniture/reaching the fuse box without having to stand on something because it's 6 foot something up the wall for example.

GimmeAy · 30/06/2020 20:45

The bins, the lawns, changing light bulbs (anything requiring height), heavy lifting, scrubbing saucepans.
I'm single now so I do it all myself and have to pay for a man to do DIY.

pinkcattydude · 30/06/2020 20:46

Bins I refuse to do it or I’ll end up responsible for it

wagtailred · 30/06/2020 20:48

GrinBlushi realise you mean around the home. Lightbulbs as DH can do them without standing on the chair. I seem to have delgated drains to him for no biological reason.

CoronaIsComing · 30/06/2020 20:49

Heavy lifting.

Ernieshere · 30/06/2020 20:50

I need my house painting outside, I will pay someone to do it because -

A) I dont have a ladder & dont want to buy one.
B) I dont want to fall off the ladder.
C) There is no-one to watch DC whilst I am up the ladder
D) I can't get enough pressure on the roller whilst up the ladder to do a sufficent job.
E) It might look shit and I will have to give it 3 coats.
F) I dont want ro sweat my tits bollocks off
G) I cant be arsed.

That kind of rhing!

bellsbuss · 30/06/2020 20:50

Bins, diy, light bulbs , mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters etc

QuestionableMouse · 30/06/2020 20:51

Never met a female joiner, bricklayer or plumber. (And my dad is a joiner, my grandad was a bricklayer so I know lots of people in that sort of area)

I absolutely believe that women can do the work but they're not encouraged to for whatever reason.

QuietlyWilting · 30/06/2020 20:52

nothing. But I will ask taller members of the family (make and female) to reach for things I can't reach. The stronger of us will do the heavy lifting. The more literate will write the letters. Nothing in my home is a duty allocated based on sex. It might be about abilities and about spare time but absolutely not sex.
BTW my sister in law is stronger than 2 average men, so if I had a heavy job I would be asking her first!

RedRed9 · 30/06/2020 20:52

Absolutely, literally nothing.

ThisIsGonnaHurt · 30/06/2020 20:53

Bins and bugs Grin

LightenUpSummer · 30/06/2020 20:56

Sperm donation?

Pleasebeaflesbite · 30/06/2020 20:56

My BF and DS took down some old fencing for me with their bare hands and the bonfired it. Very manly Grin

Removing spiders with elbows from the house

PAND0RA · 30/06/2020 20:57

Nothing.

I’m a 9 stone woman and I do most of the household tasks listed on This thread as for men.

I’m amazed that so many people think this way in 2020. How do you think all female households survive ?

Hiddenmnetter · 30/06/2020 20:58

When we got married my wife told me doing the bins was a men's job. This is obviously true, because even if I've worked a 14 hour shift and the bin men have come while I was at work, the bins are not put out.

I presume that unclogging the drains is also a man's job, because despite the other 4 females living in this house having long hair, I am the only one capable of leaning over to scoop hair and congealed soap from the trap into the toilet.

SueEllenMishke · 30/06/2020 20:58

Nothing.
We're really need to stop perpetuating gender stereotypes....even in jest.
That is why there are so few female plumbers/joiners etc.

Angelonia · 30/06/2020 20:59

I am a feminist and I believe a woman can do anything, but in our household I'm happy to admit that DH is much better than me at DIY. Not because he's a man but because he's very practical and good with his hands.

RedRed9 · 30/06/2020 20:59

Yes fair point @LightenUpSummer !

I change my answer from absolutely nothing to just one thing: sperm donation.

BruceAndNosh · 30/06/2020 20:59

Our gardener is female and pretty strong.

The only job in in our house I pass to my DH is unscrewing tight lids off jars. But I do have feeble wrists. I do not let him near my drill, electric screwdriver or mitresaw

Angelonia · 30/06/2020 20:59

I do the bins though!