Anneriek's Perspective

One of the most common—and most misunderstood—conflicts in heterosexual relationships centres on household labour. What looks like a simple disagreement about chores is actually a collision of different social realities, invisible labour, and gendered shame. Understanding this dynamic is essential for helping couples move from resentment to partnership.

Let me tell you something that breaks my heart and makes me furious: Teenage boys are drowning, and we're telling them to swim harder. They're struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts at rates we've never seen before,   and we’re not showing up for them.  We tend to experience them as ‘difficult’—they lock themselves up in their room (or behind computer screens), don’t help out in the house and at best ‘grunt’ when asked a question—and we become