My Boyfriend Accused Me of ‘Forcing Him to Be Vegan’ Because I Won't Cook His Chicken. Now His Parents Are Taking His Side.

Moving in together is one of life’s great milestones. It’s a time for building a shared life, for dreaming about the future, and for figuring out who is going to take out the bins. It should be a partnership built on mutual respect and a fair division of labor.

However, one young woman recently took to the internet to share a story that proves some people still cling to very old-fashioned ideas about a woman’s role in the home, and frankly, it’s quite shocking.

The Incident

A 21-year-old woman shared that she and her boyfriend of four years had just moved in together. It was his first time living away from his parents’ home. She has been a vegan since she was a teenager, while he eats meat, a difference that had never caused a single issue in their relationship until now.

Since moving in, she had been doing most of the cooking. When her boyfriend decided he wanted to eat healthier and take his lunch to work, he asked if she would start preparing meals for him in bulk. She happily agreed, but the trouble started when he requested chicken pasta.

She politely explained that while she would gladly make the pasta and sauce, she was not comfortable preparing meat. She suggested he could buy pre-cooked chicken or simply cook it himself to add to the meal.

His reaction was nothing short of a tantrum. He began to sulk, claiming he “doesn’t know how to cook chicken” and was “worried he’d get salmonella.” When she encouraged him to see it as a chance to learn a basic life skill, he delivered a truly jaw-dropping line.

He told her that “as the one out of the two of us in a full time job, I should learn how to cook for him.” This, of course, completely ignored the fact that she attends university every day and holds down a part-time job.

To make matters worse, when she stood her ground, he complained to his parents, who took his side and agreed she was in the wrong. He then accused her of “forcing him to be vegan,” leaving her completely stunned by his sudden and entitled attitude.

The Internet Reacts

The online community was overwhelmingly on the young woman’s side, and readers were not shy about expressing their disapproval of the boyfriend’s behavior. The reactions quickly fell into a few distinct camps.

First, there was the “Absolutely Not” crowd, who were furious on the woman’s behalf. They pointed out the blatant unfairness and sexism of his demands. One person wrote, “He says he won’t cook chicken because he doesn’t know how to, yet expects a vegan to know how to cook it for him.”

Another was appalled that he involved his parents, commenting, “Can’t believe he told mommy & daddy you won’t cook chicken for him.” The consensus was clear: he was acting like a child, not a partner.

Then came the group that saw this as a much deeper problem. These readers felt the issue wasn’t just about chicken, but about a fundamental lack of respect and a concerning attitude towards relationships. One insightful commenter identified his excuse as “learned helplessness,” calling it a “manipulation tactic” to get out of doing an undesirable task.

Another got straight to the point, suggesting she ask him “if he’d like a mom or a girlfriend and he can pick one.” These readers saw his behavior as a major red flag for the future of the relationship.

Finally, there was the “Practical Advice” crowd. They were baffled by the boyfriend’s supposed incompetence in the kitchen. Many offered simple solutions he was pointedly ignoring. “He could even just buy an already-cooked chicken from the grocery store if he’s so desperate,” one person noted.

Another offered a simple tip: “You know the chicken’s done when it’s no longer pink on the inside.” Of course, the most common piece of advice was the most direct: “Dump his a.. and find someone who doesn’t treat you like staff.”

The Etiquette Verdict

Let’s be perfectly clear: a romantic partner is not an unpaid personal chef. In any modern, respectful relationship, household responsibilities are shared. It is completely out of line to demand that your partner cook for you, let alone to insist they prepare something that goes against their personal or ethical beliefs.

This young woman offered a perfectly reasonable compromise by agreeing to make the main part of the meal. His refusal to handle one simple component himself is not just lazy, but deeply disrespectful. True partnership means supporting each other, not expecting to be waited on hand and foot.