A husband's dismissive response to his wife's straightforward plea has sent the internet into a frenzy.
The age-old image of a 'traditional housewife' washing up, rustling up meals, and tending to children is one that has divided women for ages. Some embrace the conventional role, while others strive to break free from it.
In a recent turn of events, a woman - who decidedly rejects the homemaker label - informed her husband that she's done with being the family cook. The drama unfolded today (June 4) when the 27-year-old wife revealed her husband's outright refusal to do the dishes.
This wasn't just a rare lapse either; he declared he'd never touch the dishes again after coming home from work in a fury. "He said he just got off the work and he's washing why," posted the woman on Reddit, seeking advice.
She pointed out two things: firstly, he had left the previous night's dishes unwashed, which piled up with the morning's, creating a daunting stack. Secondly, it was his idea to alternate dishwashing duties and it was his day.
In retaliation, the wife later fired off a text message to her husband that read: "I don't want to cook anymore. So we can do frozen foods or whatever."
Aside from the occasional hot dog, the woman claimed they don't actually cook very much anyway. And now that she's going back to school, a shift in expectations is vital to make things work.
She shared: "He wants me to cook and wash everything all the time...He wants a traditional wife but he hasn't provided a lifestyle that protects and enables me to not have to work or seek an education??
"No. If he wanted to pay me for all the services I provide our family that would be one thing but no it's just my role/ duty as a wife."
Even though she thought this request was fair, her husband disagreed, alarming her with this five-word message: "I'll slap you. Respect yourself." Ignoring him, she said firmly: "Seriously. I don't have time for that, it'll save money and we can do frozen food and sandwiches.
"I'll cook the last of the things in the house. Then we can do premade things that you just throw into the pot or oven." However, he curtly snapped back: "You're not a real human being," and: "You're just a modern white woman."
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Shaken up by the ordeal, she said on Reddit: "Why is okay that he gets to decide he no longer wants to do something but it's the end of the world when I do the same??" This disclosure triggered a wave of responses from Reddit users, many expressing worry for the woman's safety.
One person commented: "I'd be out that door the second my husband threatened to slap me. Girl for you safety get out fast."
Another voiced: "Your sexist t*** of a husband needs to learn how to think rationally. No, you're not being dramatic," as others chimed in: "Your life does NOT have to be like this," and: "Leave before it gets worse."
Following the heated conversation, the woman disclosed that her husband eventually relented, stating: "If you think it's what's best for our marriage okay."
However, shortly after, he left and bizarrely began 'peeing in the bathroom in a drawer', leading her to suspect he was intoxicated.
Despite this, fellow Redditors stood firm that his actions were inexcusable. One advised: "Now's the time. He peed in YOUR draw on your things. Not his, not anyone else's. This is what he thinks of you. Leave today when he's at work."