Some of the world's greatest chefs are men, so why is cooking considered women's work in so many cultures?

Question

Sorry I asked this before and it got deleted.

Wow, EsweetPea, I didn't even think of it that way. You got me thinking.

Answer 1

The world's great male chefs do so as a profession. The rest of the world's men that work all day and come home, rely on their spouse (women) to take care of the home and do the cooking, hence this was women's work. This model of life in America was the status quo throughout the 1950's and began to change in 19xx (separate debate for the year) for a variety of reasons (separate debate). Many homes are dual income and the "women's work" stigma is not what it was. However, even today, household work might be divided based on personal preferences (one spouse likes to cook) or on capabilities (one spouse cooks and the other does repairs, etc.) or scheduling (one spouse is home in time do the cooking for kids).

Other cultures are not so "enlightened". What I have seen of Japanese culture, both spouses work, yet the wife goes home and takes care of the kids while the husband goes out and drinks with "the boys". Japan seems to be more steeped in tradition than some other countries.

Personally - I share cooking, but after the Nth pizza or frozen dinner, my "partner" takes over. Basically: You want me to cook? You take what you get!

Answer 2

Oh, no you don't.

It's sexist that more women aren't chefs! It's just fine and dandy if a MAN goes to school and works his way up to chef, but it's sooooo much harder for a woman to get to be a top chef.

The chef trade isn't completely dominated by men, but it's still really male-oriented and female-unfriendly.

As women are often cooks, why aren't they allowed to be professional chefs? Why are they edged out so often? Why can they do it at home, but not as a career?

You're approaching this the wrong way.

Answer 3

I KNOW I KNOW
anytime anyone is getting paid, the men get in on the action! If it's just daily chore time, well that's for the wife. I'm a wife and mom, so that's said tongue in cheek.
When men got into nursing, wages went up too!

Answer 4

Because it's women who typically run the household - even when we work full time! This means women are usually the ones planning the meals, obtaining the food, and preparing and serving it.

Unfortunately we're trained to it... we have a tendency to spoil our boys so they don't learn to do this, or expect to it (you can bet my son will).

Answer 5

very good observation! I dont know why, it seems to be getting less and less that way though. Women are more so in a work force and roles are being almost reversed.

Answer 6

its a myth! men are better at everything!