Why Women Don’t Braai

In nature it is found that the male animal has certain qualities to “show off” to the female. The peacock struts around with his nose in the air and his beautiful colors spread out behind him. This act is done to impress a female peacock; the female peacock will then decide if this peacock has the final “say” in this “courting” process. It’s the same with a braai. Men often think of a braai as a macho act in which they are able to “show off”.

 

The male dominated braai has been in our society for years and years. Cave men used to do the same thing, except without the fancy gear and beer. Men like to feel that they have power, the male ego is much more power orientated than women’s. Being in control of fire and food gives them that power if only for a day.

 

Some people may argue that it’s always just been like this and that’s the way it’ll stay for generations to come. This may be true but there is most definitely a sense of power and to feel masculine. It is known that if a woman emasculates a man, he will feel like he has no purpose. This is not good for relationships, a man needs to feel like he is needed for things women cannot do (even if women can, they should hand over the macho stuff to the men).

 

Another reason for this phenomenon is that women tend to dress up for a social braai. Some do their nails and some buy new outfits. When you stand next to a braai the smoke and the grease spatters might not be the best idea for a new outfit and handling the meat can get quite dirty on your hands. Women generally don’t like dirt and grime. Men are more accepting of this and won’t mind if there’s a grease spatter on their shirts because it is most likely their wives who bought it for them and they probably hate it.

 

Somehow men are good with meat because… well they just are that’s the way it’s been for generations. When you’re young you are like a sponge and when you see all the dads around the braai and the women in the kitchen making salads. This gets “soaked” up into your brain and you will follow their lead. The theory is that if you had seen this scenario differently you would’ve done it that way.

 

Women are capable of doing pretty much anything and sometimes they can cook, clean, take care of the kids and paint their toe nails all at the same time. If men don’t have anything to do, they will loose their sense of purpose. Turning meat on a braai while sipping beer makes them feel like men and they feel that they are needed for something at least.

The bottom line is that even if women are more than capable of cooking they’re own food on a braai it is important to make men feel like they contribute but don’t give them the job of making the salad because this will emasculate them.