50 Pics Showing Men Making Their Partners’ Lives Harder Than They Should Be

The unequal division of labor is one of the common themes in this post. According to licensed marriage and family therapist Kate Engler, it’s also one of the top complaints from her female clients. 

In an interview with Fatherly, Engler says wives feel burdened by obligations seemingly dropped on their laps, from running errands to scheduling appointments. 

“They feel like they have to be the manager of all of those things,” Engler said of her clients.

The “overgrown child” comment was from one of Sam Marion’s clients. In the same interview, the Georgia-based marriage counselor shared how many women are frustrated by how their husbands expect them to do house chores after a long workday.

The husband then becomes another “kid” that the wife needs to take care of in addition to her motherly obligations.

While some posts are framed humorously, this unequal division of labor can have hefty consequences. A study published in the Brazilian Journal of Epidemiology revealed that wives who feel burdened by their home lives may experience more depressive symptoms. 

These burdens may also affect a person’s physical health. Another study published by the American Psychosomatic Society saw a link between people who feel more responsible for household chores and worsened cardiovascular health. These findings apply to both men and women.

Other studies have revealed that housework inequality may affect the relationship’s stability, increasing the likelihood of separation. 

Experts point to traditional gender roles as one of the primary reasons for the uneven distribution of labor around the house. Men tend to see housework as “mundane” and “repetitive,” often dismissing it as “women’s work.”

Relationships are teamwork, and both people involved must pull their weight to keep the ship afloat. For husbands, a good start would be to take on any tasks they can, such as bathing the kids and putting them to bed. 

“Don’t make a grand proclamation to your partner about what you’re going to start doing differently ― just start doing,” therapist Dr. Kurt Smith told HuffPost.

Women often have to balance household chores with their personal and professional lives, which can be exhausting. As a doting spouse, recognizing these efforts and showing gratitude can go a long way. 

As Los Angeles-based couples therapist Katlin Kindman LCSW explained, a genuine display of gratefulness can help strengthen the bond between the couple. 

“[It] can fuel more motivation to take over some tasks with increased eagerness and ease!” Kindman said.