Are women better time-keepers than men? \ stacker news ~AskSN

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234 sats \ 10 comments \ @unschooled 29 May AskSN

A colleague of mine (a mother) recently admitted that her husband and child would be "very naughty," if it weren't for her. Meaning, she always roots them in a routine/rhythm for life (when to eat, when to quiet down during the evening and go to sleep etc.)

When I was a child, it was always my mother who set my biological clock (I distinctly remember her always waking me up before school in the morning, even until I was in high school.) Even until today, my life partner always makes sure I wake up for work in the morning (I rely on her, and not an alarm clock). Also, if she's hungry, then all bets are off until I get her fed. ... So, you can imagine, my eating schedule is also heavily influenced by that distinct force of nature.

Myself, I'll tolerate hunger, staying up past my "bedtime" or even sleep/nap much more liberally than she ever will. Although I can certainly establish myself in a routine as I was able to do when I was single, I find I'm much less strict about this than the women in my life.

So, do the women in your life act as your biological clock?

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100 sats \ 2 replies \ @SimpleStacker 29 May

In our home it's quite the opposite. I'm the time-keeping disciplinarian and my wife is more free and spontaneous with the time. Attitudes towards time is probably one of our biggest frictions.

30 sats \ 0 replies \ @unschooled OP 29 May

Interesting. I guess the more I think about it, I realize that at home I'm quite relaxed with time/scheduling, whereas when observing external obligations, I tend to me more strict.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @siggy47 29 May

Same here.

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @flat24 29 May

So, do the women in your life act as your biological clock?

Yes and no, it depends on the type of person.

Personally, I think it is a resounding, at some point you have to leave the nest. And that your wife tells you when to eat and when to sleep as if it were your mother I do not consider it healthy, or as an option. I mean, I am an adult capable, because I should live as if I was still 10 years old and my mother took care of me?

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @unschooled OP 29 May

I don't think it's a bad thing for someone to complete you by having different strengths.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @flat24 29 May

🤠🤝 Ok I agree that you do not agree with me, but I do not consider the fact that my wife got up, tell myself when sleeping, eating or going to the bathroom as a complementary ability for my existence. I am sure that there will be those who seem great and complementary, but I am not one of them. I would prefer other complementary aspects than having a "second mom"

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 29 May

My wife is definitely better at enforcing the kids bedtime than me, although we both aren't very good at it. However, I am better at keeping us organized when we need to go somewhere.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @c9d8743c7f 29 May freebie

This is a fascinating observation — and honestly, it resonates. I’ve noticed something similar in my own life. Women often seem more attuned to maintaining daily rhythms, not just for themselves but for the people around them. Whether it’s biological, cultural, or a bit of both, I’m not sure.

I wonder if part of it comes from an evolutionary role in caregiving — being more sensitive to signs of hunger, fatigue, or emotional shifts — which naturally translates into being the “time-keepers” of the household.

That said, I don’t think it’s about being better or worse, but more about different tendencies. I can function in chaos for longer stretches, but I’ve learned that structure — often introduced by the women around me — actually improves my life dramatically. Maybe the real answer is that we complement each other.