This kid is learning to cook and do chores because ‘household work isn't just for women’

Photo via Facebook/Nikkole Paulun

When it comes to gender roles, society has gotten a lot better – but there are some people who still instill in their kids from a young age that some tasks, like cooking and cleaning, should be left to the ladies.

Not so for “16 and Pregnant” star Nikkole Paulun.

Recently, the mom of two took to Facebook to show how she teaches her son that household chores are not just a female’s task.

“I teach my son to cook and do household chores. Why? Because household work isn’t just for women,” she wrote in the post, which has been shared more than 55,000 times since being posted. “Because one day he might be a single man, living on his own, who will actually know how to do laundry and not eat take out every night.”

The post is accompanied by three photos of her son making a grilled cheese, doing the dishes and doing a load of laundry, and goes on to say that a child growing up to become a productive member of society starts with the parents.

“Because one day he might want to impress a significant other with a meal cooked by his own hands. Because one day when he has kids and a spouse, he’s going to need to do his fair share around the home. Because I live in a generation of people who complain that school didn’t teach us how to cook, do laundry, tie a tie, or pay taxes.”

But it’s not just about practical skills.

“My son will never be too ‘manly’ to cook or do chores,” she continued. “He will be the kind of man who can come inside from changing a tire to check on his pot roast. Who can properly sort his laundry and mow the lawn too. Remember parents, a man who believes he shouldn’t have to cook or do chores was once a boy who was never taught any better.”

Preach, ma!

Some were quick to criticize Paulun’s post, saying it may be a double standard.

“Will you teach daughters to do yard work, change a tire and mow the lawns, or the typical response of that’s a man’s job only goes one way?” asked Scottie Wade.

“You do not have kids to be your slave! Or to do the chores that you yourself don’t want to do. I agree with teaching responsibility! But enough is enough,” said Tammy Ballavance.

But many commenters praised the mom.

“Good job mama!,” wrote Angela Annette Foster. “My boys (2 & 4) also do laundry, dishes, and help cook.”

“Who are these idiots who don’t care for your ideas about raising your son? When I went off to college very few boys knew how to do anything. I did because I was taught by a mother like you. I can cook, wash, iron and clean as good as any woman and could do it before I graduated high school,” wrote Billy Brasher. “I have two sisters who know how to do so called ‘woman’s work’ and they can do anything a man can do. We were blessed with a mother who loved us enough to not send us into the world unprepared. You are to be commended for your support and love of your son. You go, girl!”