Asking
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Is it essential to serve a man as a wife?

I grew up watching my mum serve my father but resent doing it especially when she'd finally sit down and he'd say he wanted either salt or hot pepper sauce.

Whereas I watched my grandparents help each other some nights my grandmother would cook other nights my grandfather would reheat left overs but my grandfather and I would always set the table.

I am struggling a little whereby I don't believe any one person should serve, I've tried to implement a tradition whereby we share duties so my partner will serve me food if I'm dealing with baby and vice versa.
But there's no preference on meat or anything in particular. We pretty much just serve and if the person wants a bit more they may get up and help themselves.

It's not about "serving"

Do you think this influences the way a relationship goes?
Top | New | Old
joe438 · 61-69, M
We aren't as traditional as your grandparents were, but every happy couple I know takes pride in giving their partner what they need and being there for them. If it means that one serves the other more and they both like it that way, it's working for them.

Find your balance, let your partner do the same and in a happy place you'll both be content with the relationship.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@joe438 I appreciate this comment. Finding out balance.

Overall what nice things do you do and have you had done to help your relationship feel coherent and loving?
joe438 · 61-69, M
@Mellowgirl she doesn’t bake or like to cook. I do out of our cooking and when we decide to spurge on calories, I bake stuff.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@joe438 that's lovely
Realifecuckold · 61-69, M
I think you are looking for balance, and respect in your relationship.

I do all the cooking because I like to cook. We leave culture and tradition out of our relationship. I cook and set the table, I serve dinner, and I clean up afterward. Just because I like to rule over the kitchen.

I am sorry that you might not feel supported, but I think a lot of couples struggle with their roles. I think a lot of husbands expect their wives to take on a lot of things domestically.

I do a lot around the house and I find that it reflects well in my wife's attitude toward me.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@Realifecuckold that's really sweet and I'm really happy that you have found a comfortable balance that works for you both.

I do want balance and respect in my relationship.
That is what I try to give alongside love and the all the other perks that come from being with me. I've never claimed to be perfect, I have warts too.
I just need those accepted too you know.
LavidaRaq · F
I do remember my mother waking up super early to have breakfast and a lunch ready for my father before he went to work, she even warmed up the car on cold mornings for him. Then she would clean house make dinner and we would all go swimming or spend time with the cousins so they each had their chores I guess. Things are much different now though everyone works outside the house so it’s up to the couple I would suppose.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@LavidaRaq wow I've never even heard of warming up the car. That's a really nice thing to do.
I hope he was appreciative.
Modern cars I guess do that themselves now.
LavidaRaq · F
@Mellowgirl yes, they were a good team and it was a long time ago.
Your grandparents had it right, in my view. Give and take and an overall balance in the various aspects of a relationship is important. Far too many selfishly expect others to "do" for them without holding themselves accountable to return the gestures in kind.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@BrandNewMan I hear you.
And I think you have demonstrated a mature man who took on the role and responsibilities of having a family.

I hope that during times when have needed that reciprocated you had that too.


I'm not here trying to score points or shame anyone for their choice, I'm just trying to gain an understanding.
I am in a young relationship with a young family, so there will be lots of hurdles and hopefully more amazing times. It's just learning how to navigate that.
I get that it's only something my partner and I can figure out. But it's nice to get some insight from others, not to compare just learn.
@Mellowgirl I hear you. Being able to talk about what ever challenges arise, and keep it as the two of you against the problem and not the two of you againt each other, may be the single most important tool in any couple's marriage tool box.

Good luck to your young family.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@BrandNewMan thank you
Casheyane · 31-35, F
Culture and tradition do. But if the man respects the woman and cares enough, I for one would stand that damn the culture and traditions and stereotypes.

Personally, as far as romantic relationships go, I need a partner, not a man who needs a mother.

If the woman is strong enough, she can demand it from the man.

Young girls in our generations are honestly considering not getting married because of how they see their moms live their lives. Women settle for being treated like maids. But no one ever said when one becomes a mother, that's all they have to be. They could still be themselves. And if the partnership is right, the time for oneself should not be something that should be stolen or sacrificed simply because a person decided to be part of a relationship and build a family.

Then of course, easier said than done.
@Realifecuckold I can't tell if you're being sarcastic lol
Realifecuckold · 61-69, M
@SinlessOnslaught I am not being sarcastic. I am being completely respectful of you.
Casheyane · 31-35, F
@SinlessOnslaught I don't know him but I get the sense that he's trying to be fatherly to you by encouraging your realization to change and change for the better.

It does take bravery to see the wrong in what everyone around you is used to and decide not to copy it.
tobynshorty · 51-55, F
My brother serves his wife in every thing! He cleans, cooks and all other chores in the house. I don’t think it’s fair but it’s none of my business 🤷🏾‍♀
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@tobynshorty it's hard to look on when things seem unjust. But if he is happy their family is happy, their family is thriving that's a good thing it's just if that's not the case... It would feel incredibly uncomfortable.
I think relationships are give and take, hopefully in love. If one is good at one part of life, they give there, and if another is good at life in another way they give there, so they find something together mutually beneficial together.

Why do I feel thats a lost love and understanding?
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@awildsheepschase I do believe relationships are give and take. I have always been the kind of person who values looking after my partner, but I expect that too. However that looks, I guess nice gestures are always welcome, and communicating clearly about how that looks is key to ensuring both parties are happy.

But I do wonder sometimes if on a whole all this blur is causing distribution in regards to how well relationships go.
I'm not desperate to keep a man, just looking at ways to make my relationship work. But older wiser more experienced individuals can sometimes offer perspectives on how they interpret things.

You know.
@Mellowgirl I just think you know if there is even a relationship there for you, and in this world which does devalue, in my opinion, caring for another and relationships you only know. It is key those who have affection for who they are with to show their affection, and who they are with show their affections, that's the key ingredient for a relationship in so many ways
Pretzel · 70-79, M
I've heard that a relationship is 50-50 and then somebody made a nice observation - that is would be better to strive for 100-100

a man isn't marrying a maid.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@Pretzel I hear what you're saying but do you ever feel like the blurred lines cause confusion.

Or is this just a person complication?
Pretzel · 70-79, M
@Mellowgirl I look at it like this
if you're both working you share the chores equally (inside and out of the house)

if one is working 40 hours outside then the other could work 40 hours inside (that includes taking care of children)

here's the thing each person should ask "is it fair to expect the other to do X for me?"

I can get my own salt. if you're up and headed that way I could ask you to get it for me.

If you cook - I should clear the dishes.

It's a team and not a employment contract
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@Pretzel I hear you and I'm all for this. I think it's key to be fair. Because I suppose at various times in ones life it may not always be 50/50 because of health or work commitments and whatever else really
scorpiolovedeep · 51-55, M
Things are different back then.

Relationships (or the expectations with it) have changed.


My mother was a housewife and she dedicated much of her time caring for others.
It isn't essential. It's nice, but only if that's what a woman wants to do to please her man. It shouldn't be expected. But, if she does nice things for him, like serving him; he should do kind gestures to her as well.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@HappyCamper74 I hope that is how it goes.
But I'm not able to see how others navigate on a day to day. I guess I just have to live in hope that people are kind to each other.
@Mellowgirl Generally, most men would appreciate it and do kind things for their woman to reciprocate the kindness. But, others take full advantage of the kindness and grow to expect the service. Just kind of do it on special occasions if ur afraid he will just take advantage of ur kindness. Kind of like a trial run to see how it goes.
It’s up to the couple, no written rule. My parents were like your grandparents, but I know couples where the woman is kind of subservient….whatever works is fine I suppose
SlippingAway · 46-50, F
It's not essential, it's a choice but some don't feel they have the choice because of their partner.
It’s more like these are my responsibilities and those are yours. You’re supposed to mutually serve each other. There’s no one person on top.
Jessmari · 46-50
I don't think it's an assumed thing anymore. It's an agreed upon relationship dynamic.
1490wayb · 56-60, M
marriage is not 50\50...it requires 100% from both persons. this goes for any kind of relationship. you both bring unique talents into the relationship
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@1490wayb I appreciate this, but both my partner and I for example love cooking. He is a home maker much like myself. He enjoys baking and gains great satisfaction from being able to prepare a meal.
He likes to do laundry and hoover and any other kind of chores. He actually has weekly checklists on his phone. So sometimes I can feel a little redundant.
It's not that he won't let me do things I guess we haven't really gotten into a real pattern.

As you can see from how I handle the "serving" it's not that I don't care for him I just don't see why I should be the one to do it all the time. Especially when we're both able bodied.

Im just curious about how others have navigated this.
Jonjdw · 51-55, M
If you don’t agree with that kind of relationship, then you should not do it.
Essential? No.
Houdini · 56-60, M
No you should do things together you are not a slave lol.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@Houdini I appreciate you saying this.
Ok, so I don't serve. What things do you think creates harmony?
Houdini · 56-60, M
@Mellowgirl just being honest with each other and working as a team. Help each other share the jobs around the house when possible.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@FloorGenAdm that's rude. It's a question
FloorGenAdm · 51-55, M
@Mellowgirl sorry I just had to unload somewhere I guess. ☹
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@FloorGenAdm perhaps but it's not helpful, this was a genuine question.

We live in a modern society and what is expected of genders are changing.

This can affect relationships and I'm trying to gain some perspective from different perspectives.
Well it's at least being televised on these dating shows, also in the way young people are navigating the dating pool with all these "situationships".

It should be a open discussion without judgment. I didn't criticise you, and don't think in our interactions I ever have, that's not the energy I try to bring here.
Are your parents religious?
@Mellowgirl I'm not disputing they believe, I'm disputing that religion is beneficial.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
@Mellowgirl [media=https://youtu.be/fks2J0YWuzY]

 
Post Comment