EVOLVING ROLE OF MEN IN THE KITCHEN

Many years ago, the kitchen seems to look like an "evil" forest or a "no go" area for men in the home as it is believed that kitchen duties like cooking, washing of plates are for women as they seem "petty" or "homly". Factors like child's upbringing, environment, cultural influence, religious views, gender disparity and others contributes to this especially in some tribes and nations of the world as it is not so everywhere. From my personal experience, it wasn't this way as we all are raised together both men and women as siblings to perform kitchen duties. My parents believed that a man must helped out in the kitchen and know how to cook for his own personal good, hence, i and male brother were raised in performing kitchen duties.

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I began to appreciate this when i left home for my undergraduate education in the university where i have to cook by myself and i found out that i look different and outstanding among my roommates for my sumptuous meals. In addition, when i got married and my wife was pregnant of our first child, the kitchen trainings i had received many years ago helped us as a family which my wife is always grateful to my parents for how we are raised as it made life easier for us. The old narratives of men absolved from kitchen duties is now gradually been phased off as the new normal is the opposite where men are encouraged to based on civilization and better views obtainable.

It's not surprising that even the best of chefs are men as we display great culinary skills of amazement to the female gender. Therefore, I'm totally in support of men helping out in the kitchen in today's world even as i have experienced the benefits first-hand. To some women, their love language is an act of service which assisting out of kitchen duties is a big act of service and bondness to them. The truth is that this doesn't make me less of a man i.e. putting ego aside but something good and helpful to me first, my wife and my family as leaving it all out to women might be too stressful as everyone has threshold.

The kitchen is a good place of training, gisting and bonding whether as a family or couple. It is never to late to learn kitchen duties and helping out with them as time and chance permits even as one gets better day after day. Therefore, i encourage men's participation and involvement in the kitchen as it is beneficial both now and in the long run. Thank you for reading, comments and contributions are highly welcomed.

This is my entry to @HiveGhana Weekly-Engagement Week 91 on "MEN IN THE KITCHEN". I invite @adedoyin-g @chidistickz and @fasacity to join in this engagement. PICTURES TAKEN BY ME