How are you teaching your boys chores?
It’s so important to raise responsible boys, and teaching boys chores is a critical but often-overlooked component. No one really likes household chores, but they need to be done on a regular basis. And teaching boys chores prepares them for future success by:
1. Questioning outdated gender stereotypes
So many people still hold onto outdated ideas about gender roles, particularly when it comes to domestic chores. In many households, tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry are seen as “feminine,” while boys are steered toward chores like mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or fixing things. But this division of labor reinforces harmful stereotypes and leaves boys ill-prepared for the realities of adulthood.
Teaching boys how to cook, clean, and take care of their surroundings is essential for fostering responsibility and independence. It’s also one way to bust past limiting gender stereotypes. It’s definitely time to stop thinking of household chores in terms of “male” and “female” and start teaching boys the full spectrum of domestic labor.
2. Setting them up for adulthood
Teaching boys how to do all types of chores isn’t just about equality—it’s about practicality. Let’s face it: one day, these boys will grow up, move out, and have to fend for themselves. If they’ve never learned to cook a meal or clean their living space, they’ll be in for a rude awakening.
Preparing meals, managing laundry, and maintaining a clean home are essential life skills for all adults. Boys who are taught how to perform chores will be more independent, more responsible, and far more capable of managing their own households when the time comes.
3. Developing a sense of responsibility
Chores are an excellent way to teach responsibility. Involving every member of a household in chores teaches boys that the upkeep and maintenance of a home is a share responsibility — that everyone should contribute. That lesson builds a foundation for future accountability. Boys who understand the importance of helping around the house are likely to carry this sense of duty into their relationships, work environments, and broader community engagements as they grow older.
4. Helping them avoid resentment toward chores
We’ve all met adults who seem to absolutely despise doing chores, and often, this resentment stems from a childhood where tasks were either unfairly assigned or seen as punishment. When chores are simply tasks that must be done to maintain a comfortable living environment, this negative connotation can be avoided.
Finding ways to make chores more pleasant can also help. Put on some music while cleaning. Or, opt for a battery lawn mower rather than a heavy, hard-to-push gas mower when teaching boys to mow the lawn. An eco-friendly battery mower is easier to push around than many heavy, hard-to-push gas mowers.
5. Fostering empathy and understanding
When boys are taught the full spectrum of household chores, they develop a deeper understanding and empathy for the people who vacuum floors, clean bathrooms, and prepare meals. Sons who are taught that domestic labor is a shared responsibility will grow up to become adults who value teamwork and cooperation, whether in their future households, relationships, or workplaces.
6. Creating future partners
Teaching boys chores is perhaps the best way to raise future men who see domestic labor as a natural and expected part of life (vs something they “help” with when asked.)
Expecting one person to carry the full burden of domestic labor isn’t just unrealistic—it’s unfair. Teaching boys to be capable and responsible from a young age prepares them to be equal partners, whether as roommates or in romantic relationships.
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