🔥 101 Myths About Men and Chores
- Brian Page
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
You've probably heard it all before—men don't notice messes, men can't multitask, men only do chores when they're told.
Most of us know that's garbage.
We're not helpless, clueless, or incapable—we're partners, fathers, and providers in every sense of the word.
Here are 101 myths about men and chores.
💼 Cultural and Gender Norms
Men aren't wired for domestic work.
Men naturally don't see messes.
Men can't multitask like women can.
A man doing chores is emasculating.
Men who clean are "whipped."
Real men don't vacuum.
Cooking is only a woman’s responsibility.
Men shouldn't do laundry—it's women's work.
Men can’t nurture a home the way women can.
Men helping at home is just a modern fad.
Men only do chores if forced.
Chores are beneath a man’s dignity.
Masculinity and domesticity don’t mix.
If a man does chores, he’s not “man enough.”
Housework is a threat to a man's role as provider.
🧠 Skill & Competency
Men don’t know how to clean properly.
Men are too clumsy to fold laundry right.
Men can’t be trusted to buy the right groceries.
Men never read instructions.
Men can’t cook without a grill.
Men can't pack a lunch that’s healthy.
Men can’t make beds properly.
Men can’t manage kids’ schedules.
Men don’t know where anything is in the house.
Men always forget what needs to be done.
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🕰️ Time & Priorities
Men don’t have time for housework.
Men work full-time, so they shouldn’t have to clean.
Men are too tired after work to help at home.
Men don’t need to plan housework—they just do it.
Weekend chores are only for women.
Men deserve rest; women manage the home.
Men are providers, not homemakers.
Men don't need to share invisible labor.
Men don't have the mental load; that’s for women.
Men need "me time" more than chore time.
💡 Effort and Motivation
Men don't care about cleanliness.
Men only do chores to get praise.
Men won’t do it unless nagged.
Men only clean when guests are coming.
Men can’t do things without being told.
Men think tidiness isn’t their problem.
Men procrastinate on purpose.
Men don’t see the point in deep cleaning.
Men aren’t invested in how the house runs.
Men will only help if it’s made fun or gamified.
🧽 Chores by Type
Men only do “heavy lifting” chores.
Men mow lawns, women mop floors.
Men fix things, they don’t clean them.
Men shouldn’t clean toilets.
Men don’t change diapers well.
Men can’t load dishwashers properly.
Men can’t keep track of household supplies.
Men don’t vacuum stairs.
Men can’t sort laundry by color.
Men can’t fold fitted sheets.
💬 Communication & Relationships
If he does chores, he wants something in return.
A man who does chores is just trying to impress.
If a woman asks for help, she’s nagging.
Men and women will never agree on what “clean” means.
Men only do chores if there’s a fight.
Dividing chores means keeping score.
If he doesn’t do it your way, it’s not worth asking.
If he’s not naturally helpful, he’ll never change.
Asking men to help ruins intimacy.
If he messes up a chore, he shouldn’t have to do it again.
🏠 Family & Fatherhood
Dads don’t do drop-off duty.
Dads don’t remember school events.
Dads aren’t meant to pack lunches.
Dads can’t braid hair or pick out outfits.
Dads are babysitters, not caregivers.
Dads don’t do birthday party planning.
Dads don’t attend parent-teacher conferences.
Dads don’t know kids’ sizes or allergies.
Dads are just backup parents.
Dads can't manage sick days or doctor appointments.
🧠 Mental Load & Planning
Men don’t have to think ahead for chores.
Men can't anticipate family needs.
Men can't handle emotional labor.
Men don’t track birthdays or holidays.
Men don’t plan meals.
Men can't coordinate home maintenance schedules.
Men can't handle multiple domestic tasks at once.
Men don’t research child care options.
Men don’t check homework.
Men don’t need to know what’s in the fridge.
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🪞 Social Perceptions
Men who stay home are failures.
A man who cleans must be unemployed.
Stay-at-home dads are temporary.
Men who do chores are less attractive.
Men who enjoy housework are rare.
Men who take paternity leave are weak.
If a man posts about chores, he wants a trophy.
Only single men keep their homes clean.
Men are either handy or clean—not both.
A man doing chores is a novelty.
🛠️ Tech & Chore Tools
Men need gadgets to do basic chores.
Smart home devices are a “man's way” to help.
Men automate chores so they don’t have to think.
Men only get involved in techy chores.
Men see smart home tech as a toy, not a tool.
A robot vacuum replaces a man doing housework.
Downloadable List: 101 Myths About Men and Chores
Professional Support
I support couples who want to better manage money or the home as a team in their relationship.
I'm an Accredited Financial Counselor® and Fair Play Facilitator®, empowering high-achieving couples with systems to manage money and the home as a team — drawn from decades of national leadership and lived experience.
Contact me to set up a free 15 minute exploratory call.
