In an age where gender equality is preached, posted, and hashtagged across platforms, some realities remain deeply rooted in patriarchy—especially inside the household. The idea that cleaning, cooking, and managing the house are "women's duties" is not just outdated, it’s lazy.
Priyanka’s Take: Calling Out the Gender-Laziness Mix-up
In a recent interview, Priyanka Chopra made a powerful statement that instantly struck a chord. “Cleaning and cooking aren’t a woman’s job. They are basic life skills. Don’t confuse gender with laziness,” she remarked candidly. And just like that, she reminded us of something both simple and radical—that being an adult comes with responsibilities, and gender has nothing to do with it.
This isn’t the first time Priyanka has spoken about gender norms, but this time, her words hit home because they touch on something so deeply normalized in everyday Indian households. Her statement echoes what many modern Indian women feel but rarely voice without facing backlash: why is domestic labour still gender-coded?
Let’s Talk Adulting, Not Gender Roles
The ability to cook your meals or keep your space clean isn’t some special talent—it’s basic survival. Yet, Indian society often raises girls with the mantra “learn to cook or no one will marry you,” while boys are pampered out of lifting a finger. The result? A whole generation of men who think household work is optional and women who are tired of being unpaid, unthanked housekeepers.
Adulting means taking accountability. It means not expecting your partner, mom, sister, or house help to do what you could easily do yourself. Cooking isn’t about knowing 50 recipes—it’s about being able to feed yourself decently. Cleaning isn’t about perfection—it’s about respecting the space you live in.
The Emotional Load: Invisible but Exhausting
The real issue isn’t just who does the work, it’s who thinks about it all the time. Who notices when the milk is low, when the sheets need changing, or when the gas cylinder needs booking? It’s called the emotional load, and it’s mostly carried by women.
Even when men “help,” it’s often by being told what to do—"Tell me what you want me to do"—instead of taking initiative. That’s not sharing responsibility; that’s outsourcing execution while keeping all the mental burden on one partner. As PC rightly implied, it’s not about ability. It’s about willingness.
Redefining Masculinity Through Chores
By participating equally in domestic life, men also break free from the suffocating idea that masculinity means distance from emotion, nurture, or effort. You don’t lose your “man card” by mopping the floor—you earn your “grown-up card.”
To all the men reading this: Don’t wait to be asked. Don’t see housework as "helping"—it’s your home too.
To all the women: Stop shrinking to accommodate lazy behaviour masked as tradition.
And to everyone in between: Teach the next generation better.
Because as Priyanka Chopra perfectly put it, don’t confuse gender with laziness.
