It appears the tradition of women being expected to labour -cook, serve and clean- for everyone else, during festive periods and family gatherings is not limited to African women alone.
A number of American women have started a conversation on X about women being expected to cook and serve when they visit family and friends on holidays (festivities) while the men are expected to only relax and eat.
An author and contributor to the Washington Post, Gabrielle A. Perry started the conversation on X when she wrote:
“The thing I always hate about going to any family’s house is that women don’t get to be guests. Men do. We have to immediately offer to help cook, serve, clean, etc. If not, it’s not “polite.” You’re looked down upon for resting as a guest. I’ve never had guests in my home do anything.”
A number of women reacted, stating that they can relate too and that it is what they hate about the holidays.
A few men who commented explained that they wouldn’t mind joining in the kitchen if they were invited.
Follow the conversation below….
One @Noniiman wrote: Why can’t all these new age women find some fun doing traditional stuff. Always fighting and complaining about everything. Na wa o.
Another, one @Abigal replied him: “Because when these ‘traditional stuffs’ were created, women didn’t work to earn. They only took care of the home/children and hosted parties for their husbands. Nowadays, a woman works equally and sometimes twice as much and is still expected not to rest and enjoy the festivities like others. If tables were turned, men cannot handle everything a working family woman does.”
Another man, @Aminu added: “Cooking and cleaning can be stressful but the men do a lot too, and they don’t complain. They ensure the car is in good condition for the trip, they drive the family to the destination, while the woman sleeps or is on her phone, the men arrange the drinks, music, and other forms of entertainment, they ensure there’s power and gas, and then they mostly pay for everything.”
Jumoke Simi
Read More