We have all rolled our eyes at the questionable trends teenagers pick up from the internet, but some are definitely more concerning than others. It is one thing when they start doing silly dances in public; it is entirely another when they start parroting 1950s gender roles they learned from a “masculinity influencer” on TikTok.
A single dad recently found himself in a jaw-dropping standoff with his 16-year-old son over a pile of wrinkled laundry. When the dad tried to teach his son how to iron, he wasn’t met with boredom, he was met with an insult that claimed doing chores made him a “simp” and a “failed man.”
Instead of shouting, this father decided to let his son experience the consequences of his worldview firsthand. It involved a packed bag, a supportive ex-wife, and a very long commute.
The Story
The Writer’s Take
Okay, can we just give a round of applause for this coparenting dynamic? It is rare enough to see divorced parents agree on pizza toppings, let alone a complex disciplinary strategy involving housing arrangements and long-distance commutes. The fact that the mother immediately backed the father up destroys the “divorced parents pit against each other” trope.
Also, it is genuinely heartbreaking to see a teenager call his own father a “failed man” just because the guy is taking care of his home. It shows how deeply some of this online content sinks its claws into young minds, twisting acts of responsibility into signs of weakness. This dad didn’t just get mad; he got strategic. It feels less like a punishment and more like an emergency intervention.
Expert Opinion
This story highlights a growing concern for modern parents: the “radicalization” of young men by algorithms that push hostile sexism under the guise of self-improvement. When the son used terms like “simp,” internet slang often used to mock men who show basic respect or affection toward women, he was signaling that he has internalized a hierarchy where kindness is a vulnerability.
Psychologists suggest that this often stems from insecurity. Young men are looking for a blueprint on “how to be a man,” and unfortunately, the loudest voices online are often the most toxic. A report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate found that algorithms on social media platforms can amplify misogynistic content to teenage users within minutes of logging on.
Dr. John Gottman from The Gottman Institute emphasizes that the antidote to contempt, which is what the son was displaying, is building a culture of appreciation and respect. By equating household labor with gender rather than shared responsibility, the son was showing contempt for both his mother (women) and his father (men who “do women’s work”).
In terms of parenting strategy, the dad’s approach aligns with what behavioral therapists call “natural consequences.” If the son believes women should do the work, living in a house run by a woman who demands respect forces him to reconcile his belief with reality.
He isn’t being “nagged”; he is being shown that his logic is flawed. By enforcing a schedule and therapy, the parents are addressing the root cause, not just the behavior.
Community Opinions
The internet was practically cheering for this father’s shiny spine. The consensus was loud and clear: better to crush this attitude now than let it ruin his future relationships.
Most users felt the dad did exactly what was needed to protect his son’s future.
Many comments focused on the specific language the son used, identifying it as a dangerous trend.
Some users shared how learning chores early saved them later in life.
How to Navigate a Situation Like This
If you discover your child is parroting harmful rhetoric they found online, it can be scary. The most important thing is not to react with rage, but with curiosity and firm boundaries.
First, ask open-ended questions like the OP did (“Do you think I’m a simp?”). Force them to explain the logic out loud; often, it sounds ridiculous once it leaves their mouth. Avoid lecturing immediately, as this can make teens double down.
Second, unite the household. If there are two parents involved, whether together or separated, you must present a united front. If one parent tolerates the disrespect, the message is lost.
Finally, focus on media literacy. Discuss the creators they watch. Ask, “What is this person selling you? Does their life look happy?” Encourage them to see that extreme views are often a marketing tactic, not a lifestyle.
Conclusion
This father proved that sometimes love looks like packing a suitcase. By refusing to tolerate disrespect in his home, he isn’t just teaching his son how to iron, he is teaching him how to be a decent human being.
Do you think the two-hour commute punishment was too harsh for a 16-year-old, or was it the perfect wake-up call? How would you handle the “Andrew Tate talk” in your home?
