Throughout history, men and women were expected to play certain roles in order to keep society functioning. But as society evolves, how we approach handling these household chores does as well.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy relationship, teamwork makes the dream work. Dividing chores based on ability and preference is a smart strategy because it promotes fairness and equality in the home and ultimately, the relationship.

Here’s why not dividing chores by gender might just be the best idea for your household.

It avoids reinforcing stereotypes.

For the most part, women have been put in charge of the interior of the home. This includes household chores like cooking, cleaning, and childrearing. On the flip side, men have been expected to handle the more laborious, outdoor tasks like lawn care and maintenance.

These roles come from a long history of stereotypes that help dictate what each gender is supposed to do. And for many people, especially older generations, these roles are the way it’s always been.

But even though many have grown accustomed to this way of life, upholding these outdated norms can be harmful. Not only do they reinforce gender stereotypes that negatively impact men and women, but this reinforcement extends beyond the home into the workplace, courtroom, and even the playground. And unfortunately, as a result, this only keeps the cycle of gender inequality going.

It allows you to grow your life skills.

Doing household chores can teach us a lot of important life skills, including responsibility, discipline, organizing, problem-solving, — the list goes on. But when chores are assigned based on gender, it keeps people, and especially children, from learning and developing these useful skills that can be used outside of the home.

Gaining these skills can greatly boost your personal development. This is particularly empowering for children, setting them up with the tools they need to confidently handle living independently in the future.

It can help build your relationships.

Beyond being pretty limiting, dividing chores based on gender can also lead to resentment within relationships. This is particularly true in romantic relationships where one partner feels that the workload isn’t being shared equally.

When this occurs, it offers an opportunity to reassess and rebalance responsibilities, fostering a sense of appreciation and support between partners. This positive approach can strengthen the relationship and enhance satisfaction for both individuals.

It may work more effectively.

Designating tasks based on gender rather than individual ability or even preference can make managing your home a lot harder than it needs to be.

For example, some women have a knack for DIY projects and may be better at fixing things around the house. On the other hand, there are plenty of men who enjoy cooking and prefer to handle the meals for the family.

Recognizing and supporting someone’s natural tendencies, regardless of whether they conform to traditional gender norms, can significantly streamline daily life. It’s about acknowledging what works best for each individual and embracing those strengths to promote harmony within the household.

It positively impacts kids.

Children learn by example. And when they see chores divided strictly along gender lines, they learn to associate those tasks with their own gender. This can hurt their understanding of gender roles, even causing them to doubt their own abilities.

However, when children see a couple sharing responsibilities equally, they learn the value of teamwork, compromise, and equality. Additionally, they have better confidence regarding their place in society, knowing that their value isn’t defined by their gender.