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School In Spain Teaches Boys How To Do Chores, And People Have Mixed Reactions
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School In Spain Teaches Boys How To Do Chores, And People Have Mixed Reactions

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Everyone should pull their own weight, do their fair share of housework, and should know how to perform essential life skills. However, in some parts of the world, household chores are still seen as something that only women do, leaving some men unwilling or even unable to do them when needed.

A school in Vigo, Spain, called Colegio Montecastelo, is fighting for gender equality with a program that teaches boys and young men essential life skills, including cleaning, cooking, and even sewing. There’s never been a better time to learn Home Economics 101.

Some people thought this initiative was spot-on. Meanwhile, others thought that it actually enforced gender roles because it labeled certain activities as ‘manly’ or ‘womanly’ instead of seeing them as universally useful skills. Still others thought that these skills hould be taught at home, not at school. Let us know what you think of this initiative, dear Pandas, and share if you had similar programs at your schools.

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    Male students at a school in Spain are taking part in Home Economics lessons

    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

    They learn essential life skills: from ironing to cooking and more

    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

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    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

    The goal of the program is to fight for gender equality and to make boys more independent and able to help out at home

    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

    One of the things that the students learn is arranging flowers

    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

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    Sewing, a must-have skill in life, is also part of the program

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    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

    Image credits: Colegio Montecastelo

    Those teaching the students include volunteers from the school administration, but some of the students’ dads are also pitching in.

    Bored Panda spoke about the importance of sharing chores at home and being a team that supports one another with relationship expert Dan Bacon, founder of The Modern Man. Dan highlighted that it’s not unmanly to help out at home.

    “If your gut instinct tells you that you should be chipping in more to help out with chores around the house, then do it. Do it from a place of love because you love the other person and don’t want them to be under additional stress during this time,” Dan explained about the importance of everyone pitching in with chores, especially during the pandemic when some people are still working from home.

    “Additionally, if a woman notices that her man is helping out more than normal, she should use a loving approach and compliment him on it, rather than just taking his efforts for granted,” he said. “The reality is, that neither a man nor a woman has to do anything at all in a relationship. It’s all a choice.”

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    Relationship expert Dan said that when your actions come from a place of love, support, and respect, the relationship strengthens over time and you feel happier together. So chores should never be done with resentment and anger; instead, they should be part of how you support your partner and show them respect.

    Let us know which chores you love and hate to do the most, dear Pandas. Personally, washing dishes is like meditation to me, but I absolutely loathe vacuuming and dusting.

    Some people thought that these skills should be taught at home (not at school), while others said that these life skills have nothing to do with gender

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    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    Read less »
    Jonas Grinevičius

    Jonas Grinevičius

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

    Read less »

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Mindaugas Balčiauskas

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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    troufaki13
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This should be taught in schools no matter the gender (it's not taught in Greece, I don't know about other countries). Also, First Aid, Compassion, Anger Management, Common Sense.

    Maryam Siddiqui
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    dude what else do you want teachers to teach how to use the bathroom😂, school is meant for school work,it's one thing to teach boys to do stuff to fight gender equality and one to teach literlly every single life skill to children.

    Load More Replies...
    ADHORTATOR
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hm....40 years ago, I learnedat school how to knit (and I am male)

    ƒιѕн
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im a guy, and I want to learn to knit. My grandma's both did it, my mom no. so will have to teach myself.

    Load More Replies...
    N G
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm shocked that this is a topic. I thought other European countries would teach this to both sexes.

    Tiari
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least Germany and Finland do. Even though I cannot speak for all German states, since federalism lets each one decide on their own.

    Load More Replies...
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    troufaki13
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This should be taught in schools no matter the gender (it's not taught in Greece, I don't know about other countries). Also, First Aid, Compassion, Anger Management, Common Sense.

    Maryam Siddiqui
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited)

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    dude what else do you want teachers to teach how to use the bathroom😂, school is meant for school work,it's one thing to teach boys to do stuff to fight gender equality and one to teach literlly every single life skill to children.

    Load More Replies...
    ADHORTATOR
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hm....40 years ago, I learnedat school how to knit (and I am male)

    ƒιѕн
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Im a guy, and I want to learn to knit. My grandma's both did it, my mom no. so will have to teach myself.

    Load More Replies...
    N G
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm shocked that this is a topic. I thought other European countries would teach this to both sexes.

    Tiari
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least Germany and Finland do. Even though I cannot speak for all German states, since federalism lets each one decide on their own.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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