I can't decide what outrages me most about this book. The title (and infinite assumptions it makes about the stereotypical role of women in society), the seeming lack of any skill in actually writing or indeed writing recipes, or the assumption (as the author of the blog post notes) that cooking is a chore we should engage in purely to keep our (presumably) better half happy. It grates on so many levels and I'm offended by it as a feminist but also as someone who loves cooking (bar the occasional moment of 'I can't be arsedness'). Infuriating.
And when did post-feminism come to mean the exact opposite of feminism?? Post-modernism has some answering to do as far as I'm concerned.
I read an article in a NZ paper over the weekend which noted that gender equality in NZ is actually getting worse, not better, and that women are increasingly left out of the business board-room (except, one assumes, for when they have to bring in the coffee). Apparently the glass ceilings are little more than chipped, and part of me wonders what role books like this (with all their insidious sub-text) play in keeping women from truly shattering that ceiling. If mainstream publishing houses are happy to perpetuate the image of women as the timeless 50's housewife, if major sport continues to treat women as nothing more than the 'eye-candy' with which to decorate the male sporting plain, and if the WAG role continues to be what young women aspire to be, how will we ever achieve true parity?
Hm, not really a food-related post, but perhaps food for thought...
Don't get me started on "post-feminism", grrr! I'm actually clenching my teeth as I write that!
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention that article on the lack of gender parity in NZ - I read a very similar one here yesterday: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/a-seat-at-the-table-20101107-17iz0.html
The thing that really gets me is that people still refuse to recognise the structural and cultural barriers that prevent more honest parity between the sexes (as well as classes, ethnic groups, etc). And the way that people pass the focus on women's fashion over their talents off as a bit of harmless fun. And the way we giggle on the more outrageous sexist antics on shows like Mad Men as though the same thing couldn't possibly still happen today.
Thanks for the food for thought for today - an essential party of any balanced diet!
p.s. What was the cooking abomination from 1947?
Ah, well, with the 1947 thing...how many of those 'funny' "Good wife guides" from the 1940s have you been emailed over the years? The concept of cooking and cleaning (oneself and ones house) to please the husband was much more 'normal' in 1940s cookbooks. You just don't expect it in 2010. Though really, the way things are going now, I probably shouldn't have been surprised by this.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, agree with everything you say about the comments over women's fashion and the focus on women's dress over their talents. SO grating. Funny you should mention Mad Men. We watched a brilliant episode of MM this week which was all about the women (indeed, much of this season inadvertantly focuses on the women and how they negotiate their way through their male dominated world. Peggy vs. Joan is a really interesting dynamic). But there was this lovely scene between Peggy and a random slightly-political man she was dating. He was all about the civil rights' movement and trying to call Peggy to arms. She very quietly said, well, yes, it is outrageous but you know what? Most of the things that black people can't do, I can't do either. I can't go to the golf courses or clubs where most of the business takes place etc etc. The man laughed and said, "Oh, ok Peggy, we'll have a civil rights' rally for women". Ha. ha. ha.