Why we can't trust him in the kitchen

Dec 12 2006 By Liz Hands Health Correspondent, The Journal

Three-quarters of women still do most of the cooking and food shopping for their family - even if they work full-time, according to new research.

The Newcastle University study of nearly 200 men and women from Northumberland in their early 30s found that, although half of the women worked full-time, they still shouldered most of the responsibility for making sure their household was fed.

Researchers at the university's Human Nutrition Research Centre found that the rise of celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay had made cooking a more acceptable pastime for the modern man.

But they said while some of the men surveyed saw cooking as a hobby and a chance to be creative, women had a more practical approach and were largely relied on to do the day-to-day cooking and shopping tasks.

Results of the study - which highlight how important women continue to be in influencing food choices - could be used to shape health policies.

Lead author Amelia Lake, a Newcastle University research fellow and dietician, said: "Women have made great progress in terms of equal opportunities over the last few decades, so it surprised us to find that many women, even in this relatively young age group, assumed the traditional female role of chief cook and food shopper."

She added: "Celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay have helped change the image of cooking as `women's work' and many cook books are aimed at men. Yet our research suggested men like to use cooking as a chance to show off occasionally, while women are left with the day-to-day chores.

"Some of the men we surveyed viewed cooking as more of a hobby - and indeed it's usual to find meals like barbecues, Sunday lunches and speciality dishes like curries are a man's culinary showpieces."

Of the 198 study participants, who were all from Northumberland, 79% were married or co-habiting. Among the women, 79% were mainly responsible for their household's food shopping and 72% were mainly responsible for preparing and cooking food. Women said they had more time to shop and cook if they worked part-time and that they made healthier food choices.

Some women said they did the shopping because they thought they could do it faster than their partner, who was often tempted by "unnecessary treats".

A quarter of women said they were responsible for food shopping and preparation because they were more skilled than their partners in planning, budgeting, preparing and knowing their family's food preferences. Dr Lake said the findings highlighted the importance of practical cooking lessons in schools for both sexes as a way towards changing family dynamics.

"One reason for our findings could be that many of our study participants grew up in households that were traditionally structured, with their mothers in charge of most domestic duties," she said.