Should You Thank A Man?

I remember a discussion that was held with some vigor in the early days of second-wave feminism: should you thank a man for doing housework? Isn’t that the least you should expect? Do you say thank you for doing what you’re supposed to do?

If you want to see the depth of feeling that attaches to this issue still, Google “should you thank a man.”

I prefer the solution we use at our house―even though the literature says this usage is vile and wrong and demeaning as well. We thank each other for the daily things we do. I see nothing wrong with expressing gratitude to your partner for keeping the house running. Especially as I believe I am doing my fair share. Thank goodness we have reached an accommodation; I do the things I don’t hate, she does the things she doesn’t hate. Everything gets done and the work is evenly divided.