Gender stereotypes

I wish to highlight a serious issue which is deeply embedded in Pakistani society: the misconception that cooking and cleaning are gender-specific roles rather than basic life skills. This detrimental belief is perpetuated through biased educational materials and cultural norms, with momentous negative consequences. From early childhood, Pakistani students encounter textbooks depicting women as the primary caretakers, which sadly, reinforce the stereotype that domestic work is a duty of women only. One should not forget that these harmful portrayals bound the ambitions of young girls and create a dependency in boys. The ramifications of this mindset extends into adulthood. Women, burdened with household chores, struggle to pursue careers, while men often lack basic self-sufficiency skills.

This unjust division stunts personal and societal growth, promoting inefficiency and inequality. Why are these roles gendered? Why are boys not taught to be self-reliant? What values are we instilling in our children about equality and independence? Media campaigns should challenge the stereotypes and advocate for shared domestic responsibilities. Policies supporting work-life balance for all genders will further dismantle these entrenched norms. Cooking and cleaning are fundamental life skills, not gender roles.

Tania Shahjahan

Kamber Ali Khan