Is It Sexist to Expect Men to Handle All the Repairs?
You’ve heard it before, and so have I. Someone might say “That’s a man’s job” when a woman goes to take out the trash, change a tire, fix a leaky faucet, put together furniture, etc. These expectations are still upheld in many households, but are we holding on to outdated gender roles? Here are some things to consider when it comes to expecting a man to handle all the repairs around the house.
1. The “Mr. Fix-It” Label Comes With Pressure
From a young age, boys are often taught that being a “real man” means being handy. It’s not just about fixing things—it’s about proving competence, toughness, and usefulness. This pressure can turn into a silent burden, especially for men who never learned these skills or simply don’t enjoy them. When men and household repairs are automatically linked, it can lead to shame or defensiveness when they struggle with tasks others assume they should know. Expecting someone to be a walking toolbelt simply because they’re male isn’t just unfair—it’s outdated.
2. Women Can—and Do—Fix Things Too
Contrary to tired stereotypes, women are just as capable of learning home maintenance skills as men. In fact, more women are embracing DIY culture than ever before, from YouTube tutorials to weekend workshops. Still, many households default to assigning the “fix-it” jobs to the man, even when the woman may be more skilled or confident. These assumptions not only limit women—they reinforce the idea that fixing things is a male responsibility. Gender shouldn’t dictate who picks up the wrench.
3. Not Every Couple Follows Traditional Roles
Every relationship is different—and in many modern homes, roles are fluid. Maybe she’s the one who knows her way around the circuit breaker, and he’s better with budgeting or cooking. The idea that men and household repairs must always go together ignores the countless couples who divide responsibilities based on skills and interest—not tradition. When one partner is better at something, it makes sense to let them take the lead, but it shouldn’t be because of what’s expected. Flexibility and fairness go further than forced roles.
4. Emotional Labor Is Often Ignored in This Conversation
While physical tasks like fixing a broken sink are visible, emotional and mental labor—like managing schedules, organizing the household, or remembering birthdays—often go unnoticed. Many women carry the weight of this invisible labor, and expecting men to handle all repairs might be a fair trade-off in some relationships. But if we’re talking about equality, it has to be a full-picture conversation. Expecting men and household repairs to balance out the mental workload is only fair if both parties agree—and acknowledge each other’s contributions.
5. Repair Skills Are Just That—Skills
Fixing things is not a personality trait or gender role. It’s a skill anyone can learn—and one that many people avoid out of fear, time, or lack of exposure. Instead of expecting men to just know how to handle home repairs, we should normalize learning together. Watching a DIY video as a couple or dividing tasks based on actual knowledge—not assumptions—can build teamwork instead of resentment. The idea that men have an inborn knack for fixing things is not only false—it limits everyone’s growth.
6. Financial and Time Constraints Matter, Too
Some couples simply can’t afford to outsource every home repair. In those cases, someone has to step up. But assigning the task to the man by default—without considering interest, experience, or workload—can create unnecessary stress. Just because he has broader shoulders doesn’t mean he should bear every burden. Discussing who has time, who wants to learn, and how to approach the issue together is a smarter, healthier path forward.
It’s Time to Dismantle the Toolbox of Assumptions
Assigning one person tasks in the home based on tradition rather than talent isn’t a “winning” tactic. It puts a lot of pressure on men. Not to mention, it prohibits the other individuals in the home from growing. There should be a 50/50 split of the things that need to be done around the house. More importantly, you should focus on doing things you are comfortable and interested in doing. When something breaks, ask who can (or who wants to) fix it.
Do you think it’s sexist to expect men to handle all the repairs? Or do traditional roles still work in some homes? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.