In a brand new instance of men being utter misogynists, a fitness coach pointed out at how women say that household work is enough for fitness, when most middle-aged women don’t “look fit”. He shared a rather insensitive image, attached to an even more insensitive comment. According to the man, women should hit the gym because household chores don’t help.
First, going to the gym or getting to do any activity for fitness is a privilege that not all people can afford. Let’s not even get to the fact that a professional who thinks it’s okay to fat-shame people, cannot really be trusted. Then there’s the truth that most women, especially mothers and wives who are expected to look after families, do not get the time for any recreational activity. Hell, they don’t even find time for themselves.
For more clarity, here’s what women do that they can’t find time to hit the gym.
1. They cook for grown men.
Cooking is an essential skill – something that’s important to sustain. Men, however, have the privilege to not learn any of it, because they get women to do it for them. The worst part in this already sad scenario is the fact that people don’t acknowledge the effort that goes into making meals as a routine for an entire family. It takes literal time and energy.
2. They clean up after grown men.
There’s this running joke in our society, that “men don’t pick up their wet towels,” and women keep getting angry about it. Women get angry because they have to clean up after the people in the family. Like most household chores, no one notices or makes the effort to do their own work – and women are expected to do it for them.
3. They birth and raise kids.
There are mental and physical changes associated with birthing, and let’s just face it, men wouldn’t know how to handle them. Women do it while care-giving and raising the children. Sure, some men ‘help’, but most of the responsibility falls on mothers which is unfair, and honestly leaves no time for anything else.
4. They shop for the family.
Another running joke in families is men’s incapability to shop for their own things. They depend on women for something as small as an undergarment. This says a lot about the dependency of men on women. Practically, it’s a lot of work to keep a check for everyone’s needs.
5. They literally keep the household together.
Women bring order to houses. There’s a reason why men are told that their wives would “better” their lives and the families, because they actually do. If not for our mothers, there would be no balance in the house, and there’s no denying that. The sad part is that this is not accounted for as ‘work’.
6. They (have to) therapize others.
It’s an unsaid common practice to treat women as the carrier of all emotional baggage. Men pile up their issues on their mothers, wives and girlfriends, without being emotionally available when women need help. So women not only deal with their own emotions, but others’ as well. Tell me that isn’t exhausting.
7. They work, despite the disparity.
When we talk about “allowing” women to work outside of their homes, we brag about equality. No one realizes that there’s a huge gap that constantly exists. Gender pay gap and just the basic lack of equity at workplaces is proof that women have to work harder for the same job as men.
8. They ACTUALLY manage finances at home.
People keep saying that women lack the basic knowledge when it comes to finances, however they’re the ones who make budgetary decisions in families. This is because they know where the money is spent. Even when men earn (which is a choice), women make sure how expense are managed through the month. That takes both skill and work, which is never acknowledged.
If this doesn’t offer better clarity, you can always stop talking, and just sit down.
