There is this circulating belief that all women should be handy in the kitchen. That a “real woman” has to be a suitable chef — among other things. They are not exactly wrong.
Living in a modern society, with predominately modern ideals and a relatively new-found emphasis on female independence, it is necessary that women — and men — learn how to take care of themselves, by themselves, in order to sustain themselves.
In a traditional society, a man would financially take care of a woman and assigned gender roles would more often than not be followed. Today, there is such deviation from these previously established roles that they are rarely considered viable standards. Today, some women work and some men clean. While this may not be a shift that every individual has made, it is more prevalent than it ever has been.
We just need to keep women at home in the kitchen so they don't stumble out into #patriarchy and get upset. This is no world for ladies.
— MxInvincible (@RaspberryPirate) October 19, 2015
In fact, according to The New York Times, 51 percent of women report living without a spouse — which, since 1950, has increased approximately 16 percent. More women are embracing their own independence and are choosing to support themselves. Households consisting of married couples are on the decline, a social change we must adapt to culturally.
Such social change is positive. To render gender roles obsolete is a truly liberating movement. Empowering people to become the person they want, to live a life they want and to be able to do so without being confined by the limitations of their gender is a beautiful thing. This shift in mentality breeds independence and allows for freedoms that have not existed previously.
This a not a shift everyone has made nor a movement everyone has adopted. There is a population of individuals, men and women alike, who are still strong supporters of traditional gender roles. There are plenty of people who believe men should work and women should rear children, cook dinner and clean the house. For those that find happiness in this way of living, more power to you.
Embracing equality and obliterating gender roles is not about deeming certain lifestyles bad or miserable, it is quite the opposite. The movements seek acceptance of the lifestyles that are not necessarily conducive to traditional ideals.
Even for those who choose to live according to these templates, it is important to note that our society is changing. The majority opinion is shifting and, while it will not happen all at once, one day traditional ideals will no longer consist of women being housekeepers and men being breadwinners. We will continue to evolve conceptually and many beliefs will go from being righteous and fundamental to downright outdated.
women belong in the kitchen. men belong in the kitchen. everyone belongs in the kitchen. kitchen has food
— Anna O (@annao_1992) October 26, 2015
So yes, women should be handy in the kitchen, but not because they are a woman. Not because she has an obligation to feed her husband. She should be handy in the kitchen so she is able to take care of herself.
If a kitchen’s not her strong suit, then let’s hope she’s handy with a cell phone, because that is sure to be a lot of takeout.
Related Links:
Timeless or Timed Out: 'His Girl Friday' dismisses gender roles
Rigid gender roles hurt relationships
Reach the columnist at rblumen2@asu.edu or follow @500wordsofrayne on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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