Women in India currently spend up to 352 minutes per day on domestic work. That is 577% more than the 52 minutes men spend on these tasks. This burden of unpaid work falls heavily on women, It is because cooking, cleaning, laundry, and almost all domestic tasks are seen as “women’s responsibilities.” These patriarchal norms expect women to handle care work, excusing men from domestic duties and keeping women in an unequal social position. After all, the idea of fathers or husbands in the kitchen sounds odd to a patriarchal society. But it’s time to change this narrative.
Husbands in the kitchen: Cooking up change
The Kerala government is leading the change we need by updating school textbooks. These changes show men and other family members actively participating in kitchen chores alongside women. It is a refreshing break from the usual stereotype that only women belong in the kitchen. The goal is to change the old-fashioned views and teach kids from a young age that everyone, not just women, should handle cooking and housework.
The state government has incorporated these images into textbooks for Classes 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The idea is to promote a more progressive outlook and address gender bias from an early age. The Malayalam-medium textbook shows the husband scraping coconut on the kitchen floor. At the same time, the English-medium book shows him preparing snacks for the children.
In society, there’s often an unspoken belief that cooking and housework are women’s jobs alone. Kids absorb this idea from what they see at home, where mothers usually handle most of these tasks. The new textbooks try to challenge this idea. They aim to show kids that these tasks are a shared responsibility, hoping to create a more balanced view of gender roles.
Why this change was necessary
Popular culture often degrades women by suggesting their only value lies in cooking for men. Take the saying, “Make me a sandwich,” for example. Another common misogynistic remark is, “Why are you even here? Shouldn’t you be in the kitchen?” According to Dictionary.com, “make me a sandwich” is an internet meme used by men to annoy, insult, or dismiss women. It reflects the outdated stereotype that women should be confined to domestic spaces like the kitchen. Gender roles tied to cooking were once common. However, now it is time to stop letting these old beliefs affect women’s lives today and in the future.
Ironically, most professional chefs are men. Yet, the stereotype persists that only women belong in the kitchen. People pay these male chefs very well for their work, while women in domestic roles often face unpaid labour. Moreover, they also get continuous dismissive remarks.
The “make me a sandwich” request isn’t really about needing food. Instead, it is about asserting dominance over women because gender stereotypes give them a sense of entitlement to do so. If we start changing the sexist view that women belong in the kitchen, like the Kerala textbooks are doing, we can create a positive shift. Even if it happens slowly, teaching the young generation that kitchen tasks are for everyone can help break down old stereotypes and promote equality.
Husbands in the kitchen: The final thoughts
Even if a mother, wife, or daughter-in-law wants to attend an event or just step out for leisure, she has to finish as much housework as possible before leaving. Despite having personal plans or needing a break, these women are expected to complete their household chores first. This expectation perpetuates the idea that a woman’s primary responsibility is domestic work, regardless of other professional commitments or personal hobbies. It’s time we let go of outdated beliefs because, even in 2024, many people who appear progressive in public still cling to traditional views at home.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
