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What's the deal with the tendency of some (not all), of the female gender, including female family members, to "expect" their men to also automatically be "handymen"? While some guys might genuinely enjoy doing these things, I personally can't stand most of it, and would just as soon "hire out", to have the work done by paying someone to do it.
Have any other guys, had their "manhood" called into question, if they weren't super-eager and enthusiastic, to do these kinds of "handyman" jobs, that could always be contracted out to a professional third party, and in many cases, even rather inexpensively?
Last edited by Phoenix2017; 12-26-2010 at 10:32 PM..
Reason: Corrected typo
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Knight2009
What's the deal with the tendency of some (not all), of the female gender, including female family members, to "expect" their men to also automatically be "handymen"? While some guys might genuinely enjoy doing these things, I personally can't stand most of it, and would just as soon "hire out", to have the work done by paying someone to do it.
Have any other guys, had their "manhood" called into question, if they weren't super-eager and enthusiastic, to do these kids of "handyman" jobs, that could always be contracted out to a professional third party, and in many cases, even rather inexpensively?
Because of the stupid double standard. If we ask them to do all the 'woman's duties' like washing the dishes or cleaning the toilet they'd cry sexism.
What's the deal with the tendency of some (not all), of the female gender, including female family members, to "expect" their men to also automatically be "handymen"? While some guys might genuinely enjoy doing these things, I personally can't stand most of it, and would just as soon "hire out", to have the work done by paying someone to do it.
Have any other guys, had their "manhood" called into question, if they weren't super-eager and enthusiastic, to do these kinds of "handyman" jobs, that could always be contracted out to a professional third party, and in many cases, even rather inexpensively?
You seriously have had your "manhood" called into question over this? Really? Frankly, you sound rather insecure to let something so silly, bother you.
It's because men who are problem-solvers are very attractive to us. We like it when men can make something happen, even something dull like fixing a door knob. Knowing that your man is ready and able to get the job done is a turn-on. it's basic, primal stuff - the man as a provider of a good home. Even feminists prefer a man who is handy (even if they are capable of doing for themselves).
I certainly don't expect a man to be a handyman but dammit it'd sure be nice to be with someone who can figure out how to hook up the darn DVD player or know all that crap about cars that my puny head can't seem to wrap around lol.
For me, it's partially because of what I was raised with. My dad was a carpenter, and had the professional knowledge needed for most household repairs and chores, and was an expert at virtually all DIY type projects. He and my mom ran a small carpentry, general repair, and building contracting business for nearly 40 years. They gutted and rebuilt the vintage home I was raised in. I basically grew up in an episode of "This Old House." I knew my way around lathes, c-clamps, levels, drywalling mud, and nail pouches before I even entered elementary school.
My SO tries, and he is very good at researching and teaching himself these skills, but since we've become homeowners, I'm often caught offguard by what I find to be "basic" handyman-type stuff that he doesn't just know how to do... and it's not a matter of shows of masculinity, either, considering that I, the female in the equation, know how to do most of this stuff, due to my dad having taught me how. He was raised by somebody who hired out for all this stuff, and he never learned to do it side by side with somebody, like I did. It blows my mind that this stuff isn't common knowledge. I vastly prefer to do things on my own if I have the ability, versus pay somebody else to do it. Just an upbringing thing. We both cook and clean and do laundry, however, and he's better with electronics/computerized stuff than I am. He's just not as skilled with general household repairs, etc.
I think most men can fix things and have a better idea how things work than most women. So, naturally women expect their men to fix things, and most men oblige them. When men have absolutely zero mechanical ability, then I can see them squawking. Do you expect women to cook, clean and do laundry? I think your thoughts along these lines depends on your upbringing.
You seriously have had your "manhood" called into question over this? Really? Frankly, you sound rather insecure to let something so silly, bother you.
I can only speak of own experience - however, you might not think being called "less than a man", various crude homosexual references that I won't repeat (and when one is specifically *not* homosexual), and other 4-letter word curses and verbal abuse, when one refuses to accede to various "handyman-related" demands, as "silly".
I certainly don't expect a man to be a handyman but dammit it'd sure be nice to be with someone who can figure out how to hook up the darn DVD player or know all that crap about cars that my puny head can't seem to wrap around lol.
Hooking up a DVD / Blu-Ray player...not a problem for me, lol
Fixing a car...sorry, no idea...that's what the family car mechanic, is for!
Honestly, if that is happening to you, it speaks more to your ability to choose with whom to surround yourself than it does your ability to be Mr. Fix-It. Somebody who's going to verbally abuse you is going to verbally abuse you no matter what...doesn't have much to do with whether or not you can fix a doorknob. If you were a professional handyman, people like that would just find something else to abusively target.
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Frankly, you sound rather insecure to let something so silly, bother you.
