Top 10 Reasons Why I want My Son to Learn Household Chores

“Both boys and girls are equal, no one is higher than the other and we must respect each other”, this is the most common phrase that we all have learnt from school. However, when it comes to household chores, the above statement is invalid. A typical Indian household will treat the boy and the girl of the house in a different manner. Boys are meant to be resting at home, while the girls are being forced to learn all the different aspects of life, in terms of household work.

While growing up I have personally seen these things wherein the daughters of the house are made to learn and do everything in the house. When they grow up, get married and go to their in-law’s house they are made to again do everything and the son’s are made to sit around. While witnessing these things myself I had strictly made my mind that I won’t let my son do this. It was clear that my son will learn household chores with his sister. Both the children will learn things simultaneously and apply them when required. However, my decision is not a consequence of an emotional outburst, rather it is having a few reasons attached. The top 10 reasons why I want my son to learn household chores are:

1. Sense of Independence: Knowing to do household chores will instil a sense of independence inside my son. He will be an independent man later.
2. Helping hand: A helping hand to his mother, sister or better half is always welcoming. Be it cutting veggies,  washing vessels, brooming etc., the helping hand will ease things up.
3. No Taboo: The taboo or misconception of household chores being only reserved for females should see an end. In this modern era, there is no place for such a grave misconception. I strictly do not wish that my son gets exposed to this baseless phrase.
4. Sharing is Caring: The basic lesson of humanity is sharing the load that your loved ones are bearing. There is no harm in learning certain household chores. This will provide a solid reality check that how a mother/wife handles the house. It is not the only job that I am entitled to do. I should be also allowed to pursue other work apart from the regular housework.
5. A real friend: Imagining my son leading his life alone with his friends at some point in time, knowing to do basic work like laundry, cleaning etc. will help a lot. The respect among friends will increase and I will be a proud mother.
6. Stepping into my shoes: I imagine a day when I will be too old to move, I would like my son to step into my shoes and get things done in the house. This is only possible with pre-training sessions and practice. And, this would equally reduce the burden of his partner’s responsibility.
7. Team Work: Teamwork and team building activities are not to be restricted only to the office premises. I love to see the teamwork that my son and daughter puts up in a task when assigned. Mess and fights are a part, but they are ready to reach out and help each other.
8. Thinking Ahead: My son would grow up and would become a father someday. What inspiration will his children draw? Well, my son should be equipped to display that he shares responsibilities. There is no difference between a male or a female with respect to household chores.
9. Change the attitude: Above all, I want my son to grow up with the right attitude and outlook towards the opposite sign. Responsibilities of the house are not restricted to only the female member, doing together matters.
10. Sustainable: Being sustainable is always of great quality. At times of crisis, my son must help himself to handle that situation. The situation can come up anytime and he should be ready for it.

Let’s stop treating daughters and son’s differently from each other. This will only invite trouble! Household chores are the basic duties of leading a life at home. There is no running away from it only because you are a male. As mother’s, we do have a great role to play in installing these qualities in our sons.
By god’s grace my 3 year old himself takes a lot of interests in household chores and every day he would help me clean platform in kitchen, hang the clothes for drying, removing the dry clothes from rack and organising the living room. I feel proud of the fact that he realises his mother needs help too. All this can only be made possible from an early age. Lets all raise both the genders equally and make them better equipped to deal with the world in future.

I am training my son, are you training them too?

** This post is about my personal opinion being a mother of a son and daughter both. People may have different thoughts on this and I am no where questioning the various parenting styles. I just intend to spread the message that girls and boys both should be treated equally from the early childhood and both should be given opportunities to learn in house and outside activities. This helps the child to become an independent and a better individual in future who can survive easily on her or his own. 

Copyright Notice- Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author (owner) is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rakhi Parsai (Lifethrumyeyes) with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

If you are a brand or an independent professional and would like to work with me please send an email at lifethrumyeyes11@gmail.com or you can also connect with me by clicking on any of these on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.