#Japan #Tokyo #Gender Gap #Cookpad #Cooking Frequency

Exploring Gender Disparities in Cooking Responsibilities

In a groundbreaking study conducted jointly by Cookpad Inc. and Gallup, significant findings emerged regarding the cooking habits of individuals across 135 countries. The research, titled Household cooking and eating practices across food system typologies in 135 countries from 2018 to 2022, was published in an international academic journal with contributions from the Columbia University Climate School and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study analyzed data involving approximately 640,000 participants surveyed between 2018 and 2022.

Key Findings of the Research

The research brought to light startling statistics, revealing that women perform cooking duties 2.1 times more than men globally, a gender gap observed uniformly across all surveyed regions. While women prepared the majority of home-cooked meals, the difference in consumption frequency between men and women was minor, indicating a clear distinction between the roles of cooking and eating within households. This finding underscores a societal structure where culinary responsibilities are disproportionately assigned to women.

Comparison by Economic Development

In analyzing the cooking frequencies based on developmental stages of food systems—which include rural/traditional, informal/expanding, emerging/diversified, modern/formal, and industrialized/integrated categories—the study found that emerging/diversified systems, such as in China and India, had a 13% higher cooking frequency compared to rural/traditional systems. In contrast, countries with industrialized/integrated food systems, like Japan and the United States, exhibited the lowest cooking frequencies, hinting at a potential shift towards processed foods and dining out as food systems advance.

Economic Pressure and Cooking Frequency

Economic factors also played a critical role in cooking habits. About 37% of participants reported that they struggled with food expenses in the past year. This issue was particularly pronounced among individuals in rural/traditional food systems, where 61% faced economic constraints. Notably, those residing in rural areas, with lower educational attainment or part-time employment, showed significantly higher cooking frequencies compared to urban dwellers or individuals with full-time jobs.

Impact of the Pandemic

The research analyzed the influences of the global pandemic on cooking behaviors from 2018 to 2022, noting an increase in cooking frequency during 2020 and 2021 across various food systems. Even so, the gender gap in cooking responsibilities persisted and even widened during this timeframe. By 2022, cooking frequencies had started to revert to pre-pandemic levels.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The study emphasizes three crucial perspectives for fostering healthy cooking behaviors:
1. Promoting Gender Equality: Addressing the skewed cooking responsibilities based on gender is essential.
2. Inclusive Health Support: Enhancing cooking frequency while improving food environments is necessary.
3. Contextual Policy Design: A flexible approach considering each nation's cultural and economic conditions is vital.

The researchers concluded that merely linking high cooking frequency with health is overly simplistic; it is equally important to understand who is cooking, under what conditions, and with what ingredients.

Comments from Cookpad's PR Chief

According to Takako Okatake, the head of Cookpad's PR department, this study is essential in addressing global food issues. It emphasizes that understanding not only 'who eats' but also 'who cooks' is equally crucial. The study illustrates a common structural issue where cooking is disproportionately viewed as a 'mandatory task' assigned to women. However, its significance lies not just in highlighting disparities but in illustrating how the act of cooking is deeply intertwined with health, family, and quality of life.

At Cookpad, we believe that cooking should be a creative and enjoyable act, not simply a chore. This paradigm shift from obligation to pleasure is key to naturally closing the gender gap in cooking responsibilities.

About Cookpad

Cookpad Inc. is dedicated to its mission of making everyday cooking a joy. Operating in 67 countries, Cookpad provides various services, including a recipe posting and search service, AI-based cooking coaching, and an online fresh food marketplace. We aim for a rich future for humanity and the planet through cooking.