Settle an Argument: "Should She Have to Do 'Man Chores'?"
By Perri O. Blumberg, REDBOOK
Rusty and Stacy, both 42, have been married for 20 years and have four kids. Rusty works full-time, while Stacy works part-time and spends the rest of her time doing household chores, paying bills and taking care of the kids.
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On the weekends, Stacy usually has a list of things needed done around the house, such as mowing the yard or washing the car, to give to Rusty. Rusty complains that after working 40 plus hours a week, he would like to relax rather than do manual labor. Stacy argues that working a part-time job and being a stay-at-home mom the other time equals working full-time. She also says these tasks are "man jobs" anyway. Who's right in this situation?
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She says: "I have a lot on my plate. It's hard to juggle it all sometimes. It's the least he can do to help out with these chores since I do everything else."
He says: "I work more than 40 hours a week. By the time the weekend rolls around, the last thing I want to be doing is more work. Besides, these are jobs she could do just as easily as I can. The "honey-do" lists are getting a little outdated."
Whose side are you on? (Explain your reasoning in the comments section.)
- Stacy
- Rusty
Have an argument you want settled? Email your argument detailing your side of the argument and your man's side to karenkarbo@redbookmag.com and please include your name, age, city and state. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
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