A recent film, a remake of the acclaimed Malayalam movie “The Great Indian Kitchen,” has ignited significant discussions and reactions among male viewers on social media. The film’s themes are supported by striking statistics from a recent government survey, which highlight the persistent disparities in household responsibilities between men and women in India.
Survey Highlights Persistent Disparities
The findings of India’s Time Use Survey reveal that Indian women spend more than seven hours a day on unpaid household and caregiving work. This is more than twice the time men dedicate to similar tasks. Specifically, women spend 289 minutes on unpaid household work and 137 minutes on caregiving, while men contribute only 88 minutes to household chores and 75 minutes to caregiving activities.
Despite government initiatives aimed at empowering women, the situation has remained largely unchanged since the last survey six years ago. The data also show that women spend less time on paid work and personal care activities compared to men. This indicates that while women have slightly increased their participation in paid work, they have only marginally reduced the time they spend on household chores.
Economic Pressures and Social Norms
Economists argue that this change does not necessarily indicate improved conditions, as many women are forced to seek employment due to economic pressures while managing most domestic responsibilities. The film “Mrs.” resonates with many viewers by confronting the uncomfortable truths about gender roles in Indian society. While it has received praise for sincerely portraying women’s struggles, it has also faced criticism from men’s rights groups for allegedly promoting negativity towards traditional family structures.
Reflections on Social Norms
Comedian Kajol Srinivasan commented on the film’s impact, noting that it reflects societal norms that many people struggle to confront. Sharing her experience of her father taking responsibility for household chores, she highlighted the complexities and power dynamics involved.
As debates surrounding gender roles continue, this situation underscores the ongoing conversation about the distribution of unpaid labor in Indian households. This remains a timely topic as society grapples with changing norms and expectations.