Lekhni, I find it sad too and imagine if this is the situation in a country that prides itself on equal rights, what must be the situation elsewhere? Sadly sexist comments are less likely to be protested against than racist comments and strangely even women pundits on TV don’t voice their concern enough; perhaps to guard against professional backlash.

Amit, FIL cooks some but like me, mostly non-veg stuff although MIL cooks some great Oriya stuff which I will be only glad to indulge in.

Expectations toward cooking are definitely influenced by sexism although not all is negative since most women, as you mention, don’t appreciate being encroached upon. We’re supposed to be in charge of ‘cleaning’ be it the trimming of the extra fat from the meat or mopping up in the aftermath of a kitchen disaster :)

I wonder whether Indian attitude/expectations towards cooking has been shaped by sexism. Though it can also be argued that the kitchen is the fiefdom of the Indian woman and any attempts by men to move in there would be yet another example of patriarchy. What do you think?

It’s not a coincidence that black men got the vote before women did.

It is really sad that women are treated as objects in this country, and sadder that so many women feel forced by society’s expectations to behave like dolls.

….I wonder how many people voted for Obama based on the same argument that she’s a woman so she can’t lead. If that is the case its a eerie situation, for its very likely the same people will think twice before voting for a Black instead of the most capable candidate.