Situation · Partners and dating

“I do everything in the house and he does nothing”

What could be going on

Over-functioning and under-functioning: Fits if your doing more and his doing less reinforce each other; check what happens if you pause.

Passive aggression: Check whether 'forgetting' or doing a task badly is resistance he won't state openly.

Psychological entitlement: Fits if he expects to be looked after and treats your work as owed to him.

Does the minimum: Check whether he does the minimum everywhere, at work and with friends, not just at home.

Covert depression in men (Terry Real): Low energy and withdrawal can be hidden depression; check for irritability, numbing or drinking.

Moral foundations: He may have grown up with fixed gender roles; check whether he sees housework as yours by default.

Questions to carry

  1. How long did I wait the last time something needed doing, and what was he doing meanwhile?
  2. When I do it myself again, what do I feel, and what do I say out loud?

Also said as

  • my husband never helps around the house
  • she leaves me with all the chores
  • my partner pretends he doesn't know how to do things
  • weaponised incompetence
  • my partner doesn't do any housework
  • I do all the cleaning and cooking

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