Son Refuses Household Chores, I Send Him to Ex-Wife: AITA?
My teenage son refused to learn basic household chores, claiming they're "women's work." After a heated exchange, I sent him to live with his mom to teach him a lesson. Now, I'm second-guessing my decision.
I, a 34-year-old father, divorced my ex-wife, also 34, two years ago. Our son, now 16, lived with me during the week. Recently, he refused to learn chores, calling them "woman's work." After a confrontation, I sent him to live with his mom to learn the importance of household responsibilities.
We had our son young due to parental pressure, but post-divorce, my ex and I mended our relationship. Despite our past animosity, we co-parent well. However, my son's refusal to do chores sparked a major conflict.
“only failed men do stuff like this and I won't be one of them.”
My son's sexist beliefs clashed with my values, leading to a decision that uprooted his routine and sparked debate among my friends.
“if you think this is a woman's job, it's time for you to live with a woman and to pack his bag and to go to his mom's house.”
Now, my son is with his mom, learning the importance of household chores, while I reflect on the aftermath of my actions.
🏠 The Aftermath
Since sending him to his mom's, my son is learning household chores and the consequences of his beliefs. While he misses me, the lesson is ongoing and necessary for his growth.
He now commutes to school from his mom's, adjusting to a new routine and increased responsibilities.
This decision has shown him the importance of equality and respect within a household, highlighting the need for mutual understanding.
Teaching him that chores are not gender-specific is crucial for his personal development and future relationships.
While tough, the consequences are shaping his perspective and reinforcing essential life skills.
💭 Emotional Reflection
Balancing discipline and understanding is crucial in parenting. While my actions may seem harsh, they aim to instill valuable lessons about respect and responsibility.
By enforcing consequences for sexist beliefs, we promote a healthier environment for growth and learning.
Navigating generational attitudes towards gender roles requires open communication and empathy, guiding our children towards a more inclusive future.
Reactions to my disciplinary action have been mixed, with some supporting tough love and others questioning the approach.
Sending him to learn chores from his mom reinforces the importance of equality and shared responsibilities.
Teaching him early on that gender stereotypes have no place in a modern household sets a positive example for his future.
While the approach may seem drastic, addressing ingrained beliefs at a young age can prevent harmful attitudes from persisting.
The contrasting opinions reflect the complexities of parenting and the challenges of reshaping harmful mindsets.
🌱 Final Thoughts
Parenting involves tough choices that shape our children's values and beliefs. Setting boundaries and promoting respect are essential for guiding them towards a more inclusive future.
In a world evolving towards equality, challenging outdated views at home is a necessary step in fostering understanding and empathy.
What do you think?
Would you have left, or stayed and kept trying to make it work? Share your thoughts below 👇
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