London, England – Living together without parental supervision can sometimes lead to disagreements and disputes over household responsibilities. This is the situation for siblings Will and Sasha, who have been struggling to find a balance in their division of chores since their parents retired and moved abroad. While they generally get along, Will feels that Sasha unfairly assigns “man’s work” to him, such as taking out the bins and fixing broken items. He believes she is weaponizing gender to avoid unpleasant tasks. On the other hand, Sasha argues that certain jobs are better suited for men and women, and that they should both play to their strengths.
Will raises the point that their parents had traditional roles in their household, with their father taking care of DIY and bin-related tasks. However, Sasha believes that he should continue in that role. She does not shy away from her responsibilities either, as she takes care of the cooking and cleaning. Sasha makes an effort to include Will in her cooking, even though their schedules differ. While she doesn’t nag him to do tasks when he’s busy, she does assign certain jobs to him that she does not enjoy doing.
The siblings differ on the issue of gender and household chores. Will feels that Sasha is using gender as an excuse to avoid unpleasant tasks, while Sasha argues that certain jobs are better suited for men due to their physical strength. She admits that it was unfair for her to expect Will to kill a spider when he is just as afraid of them as she is. However, she believes that Will should appreciate the tasks she takes care of, such as cooking meals for him.
The verdict among Guardian readers is slightly in favor of Sasha dropping the idea of “men’s work” and having a proper conversation about household chores. Some readers believe that both siblings need to grow up and find a fair division of responsibilities. Others suggest creating a rota for the unpleasant tasks or taking turns doing them. Ultimately, the solution lies in open communication and a mutual understanding of each other’s abilities and strengths.
In order to gather a wider perspective on the issue, a poll has been conducted asking whether Sasha should adopt a more gender-neutral approach to household tasks. Readers are encouraged to participate and share their opinions on the matter.