If you are willing to dig a bit deeper, you will find that many women in the middle of the last century were expected to both work, and cook the meals, as well as keep up the cleaning. The men were expected to work and keep up the household and mechanical repairs, and take care of the outside work.
Social pressures were the main reason that the "housewife" usually did the cooking. It was expected. Every woman was expected to be Betty Krocker, and the school system taught it.
Due to the extraordinary workload many women were expected to shoulder, the anti-housewife rebellion, aka - women's liberation movement took place. Men were seen to have more freedoms, and a more exciting and fulfilling life. The American female wanted those same freedoms and opportunities. Children and familial values became an impediment to success, both for the woman and the man. And the American family has been in decline ever since.
I could go on with this but won't. You would all ban me from DC
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Suffice it to say that cooking isn't dead. It isn't as prevalant as it once was. People had to cook as there were few other options for obtaining hot food. Now, it's sometimes cheaper, and always more convenient to just eat out, or have food delivered.
I love to cook. Betcha didn't know that
. All of my children love to cook as well. And they don't just cook, they cook very well. My youngest (20 years of age) is the most talented, or at least the most adventurous. And she creates new deserts, and main courses with and instictive flair that I have not seen duplicated. Of course she has an IQ over 140. But all of my family members have the high IQ's, and imagination that just doesn't quit.
I do know what you mean though. I know so many people who abhore the thought of preparing a meal. They don't even want to try.
Cooking isn't dead, but it is not as prevalent as it once was. And I feel saddened that so many people put all of their energies into obtaining material posessions, or the feeling of power that comes with a career, rather than spending their energies on the relationships that should be develped in their families, and with their freinds. And good food is an important ingredient in a strong family.
Seeeeeya; Goodweed of the North