A widowed father has provoked controversy on social media this week after revealing that he makes his daughter do extra chores around the house to compensate for her menstrual products.
The trouble began when the man, using a throwaway account, took to a subforum on Reddit called Am I The A**hole?, where users post about a recent grievance or conflict they've had and the community then votes on whether or not the original poster was in the wrong.
In this instance, ThrowAwayGirlVsBoy asked Reddit: AITA For Expecting My Daughter To Do Chores?
Take a look at this ad for a new type of sanitary product in the video below:The father wrote:
"I have to spend extra on my daughter each month not only for her extra curriculars, but for her monthly supplies, so it‘s my way of having her pay me back. She cleans the shared living spaces and bathrooms in our apartment and cooks four meals a week. [sic]"
The man's brother took issue with this domestic arrangement and argued that the dad spent twice as much on his son's extracurricular activities.
However, the dad retorted that he believed his son's out of school sports activities will help him get into college, while in his opinion his daughter's hobbies (dance and choir) will not.
He continued:
"[My daughter] overheard me say this and was very upset. She started refusing to do chores because it isn’t fair.
"I told her she’d still be doing her chores and life isn’t fair so stop being a brat, or I’d refuse to pay for her extra curricular stuff or pads.
"I wouldn’t actually do that, but I was mad when I said it. She packed a bag and took off. She’s been staying with my sister who called me an abusive ***hole."
Suffice it to say, the majority of commenters on the thread took issue with the man's behavior, with many accusing him of sexist discrimination:
For instance, one outraged Redditor wrote:
"Threatening to not pay for her pads? No wonder she left. As her father you're supposed to supply for her basic needs and this is definitely not a grounding subject.
"You're not expecting your daughter to do basic chores, you're expecting she handle a big part of the house while you're not asking your son anything?"
They continued:
"Think of the [example] you're giving your son: women do chores and men's hobbies are more valid because it might give you a shot to college / a better job. Your family is 100% right to snap at you and to protect the girl, and I hope you make your son do chores at some point."
Meanwhile, someone else added:
"Both need to do chores. They don't pay you back they are your kids. Don't have them if you don't want to pay for them. Do you think periods are optional?
"How does your son pay you back for toilet paper and toothpaste? You clearly think she should only do this and owe you because she is a girl. Awful sexist way to treat your kids. [sic]"
What do you think of the father's parenting approach? Let us know in the comments section!
