JanieW

Most couples work out a division of labour that suits the relationship. Thankfully gender doesn’t have to determine the role.

Anniedeb

DH and I have done just that. We seem to fit/follow the pink/blue roles. That, however is by choice, in that I certainly can perform most blue roles. I was changing my own oil in high school. I can mow lawns, snow blow, and run a chain saw. I just chose not to. DH can do household chores, but loves the garage and outdoors. My sons were raised early on to do their own laundry, room clean-up, and were often asked to vacuum and sweep. Both are really good cooks also. If something needs to be done we just do it.

Onebyone

Blue skills are usually considered for boys to learn as in household repairs, car maint. A few but not many girls have an interest in those. Pink is usually for girls to learn like, sitting tableware, decorating, A few but not many boys have an interest in those. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting, child care, and providing should be learned by both.

bearisgray

I think it is useful/helpful to know what each person in a household will usually do. I also think it is useful/helpful to know - or at least be aware of - what the other people do.

I know of some families that when dear old dad died, dear old mom did not have a clue about finances.

Ours has fallen into a more or less "pink and blue" division of labor - but I have no great desire to mow lawn and he has no great desire to sew.

ptquilts

We both used to work on the car and cut and stack wood for the woodstove. Both cooked. Both did laundry. I taught DH to sew and we made quilts together for years. Most importantly, we took care of finances together, and when he passed, I wasn't a helpless widow. I even do my own taxes as we did that together too.

JanieW

ahhh, now I understand. I think nowadays all kids should learn all skills so that they can be independent, well rounded and self sufficient. I don’t believe in gender specific roles.

Onebyone

I do believe in gender specific roles but not that everyone has to stay in those roles. I don't want to do finances, work on the car, use shop tools. So why should I learn? As a child I had to help my brothers do 'boy work' and didn't like it one bit. My brothers washed dishes and cook meals and hated it but they could do it. They had to learn to crochet to make fishing nets and they were okay with that. LOL

SusieQOH

My Mom was a wonderful cook but didn't want anyone in the kitchen with her. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. My brothers are fabulous cooks, my sister and me? So-so at best. But my husband and 2 of my 3 sons are also fabulous cooks. It still cracks me up how my brothers are such good cooks and our Dad never boiled water haha

One big problem I have with gender specific roles (I have many) is I always loved baseball and when I was little girls just didn't do that. No fair!!
To this very day I watch Major League baseball and wish I could have been a player!!

tropit

I might be off topic here...the conversation has taken a different turn...I'll chime in anyway.

Coffee savings: Lavazza Coffee is a really good Italian brew and is served in 5-star hotels around the world. It has been on sale for a few months now at our local Safeway for only $4.99/12 oz bag. Sometimes they even offer a buy one get one free! It comes in different roasted varieties and it's usually located on the top shelf, away from the more popular brands. I think that they are using these discounted prices to break into the US market. Look for it in your store.

sewingpup

Just a suggestion to at least learn a little bit about your finances. I have seen some widows who did not really struggle after their husbands passed away or had a stroke. Hope that doesn't happen and perhaps you have somebody that handles them for you. Cars can be towed and brought to mechanics, and you probably will not need to use the shop tools although being able to use a screw driver and hammer does come in handy.