世論 What Japan Thinks

Macromill Research recently took a look at the subject of men and cooking.

Demographics

Between the 28th and 30th of October 2011 516 male members of the Macromill monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 25% of the sample were in their twenties, 25% in their thirties, 25% in their forties, and 25% in their fifties. In addition, 312 female members were also interviewed, also with 25% in each of the age brackets.

I very rarely cook, although I do often help out in the kitchen. When I do cook, my speciality is quiche; everything else turns out a bit ordinary, and I am teribly slow. On the other hand, I do love baking, although I don’t do that as much as I would like. I bought some scone mix at the weekend, so sometime round about Christmas I’ll whip up a few.

Research results

Q1: How often do you cook? (Excluding just boiling rice, toasting bread) (Sample size=516)

Almost every day	10.7%
Four or five days a week	5.0%
Two or three days a week	13.0%
One day a week	14.1%
Two or three days a month	9.3%
One day a month	8.1%
Few times a year	17.2%
Never	22.5%

Not surprisingly, those living by themselves were most likely to cook every day (24.8%), but otherwise, even for those living with their parents or with a fulltime housewife as a spouse there was no particularly significant difference.

Q2: When do you tend to cook? (Sample size=400, those who cook from Q1, multiple answer)

Just as an everyday action	40.5%
When I feel like cooking	31.0%
When family, partner are unwell	30.8%
When wife, mother are not at home	27.0%
To celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, etc	9.3%
When preparing a lunch box	7.3%
For home party, other times friends gather	6.5%
Other	7.3%

Q3: How did you come to start cooking? (Sample size=400, those who cook from Q1, multiple answer)

Became aware of economising	38.3%
When I wanted to have it as a hobby	28.5%
When I thought I should participate in the housework	27.8%
When I was spending more time at home	17.0%
When I became aware of health issues	12.3%
When I saw a cooking programme on television	10.5%
When I saw a newspaper, magazine article, book, cookbook	6.8%
When I read something on a blog, the internet	5.0%
When I wanted to cook something for a woman	4.5%
Family, friends recommended it	4.5%
Other	7.0%

Q4: Why do you cook? (Sample size=400, those who cook from Q1, multiple answer)

To save money	36.0%
There’s no-one to cook for me	30.0%
To please wife, family, partner	27.0%
Just like cooking	25.8%
My own cooking is more tasty	20.5%
More healthy than eating out	19.8%
To play my role in the housework	16.5%
Got fed up eating out	8.5%
Other	5.5%

Q5: What is important when cooking? (Sample size=400, those who cook from Q1, multiple answer)

Simple to make	71.3%
Quick to make	54.5%
Making it to my own preferred taste	49.8%
Cheap to make	43.3%
Nutritionally balance	17.0%
Use in-season items	16.0%
Being particular about the flavourings	14.5%
Has flavour that the person I’m making it for likes	12.3%
My own original recipe	10.8%
Low calorie, low salt, otherwise healthy	7.0%
Gives stamina	6.8%
Other	1.3%
Nothing in particular	2.8%

Q6: How much do you agree with the following opinions regarding food? (Sample size=516)

It’s best if men cook too

Agree	30.2%
Somewhat agree	52.3%
Somewhat disagree	8.1%
Disagree	9.3%

Men who can cook are cool

Agree	16.7%
Somewhat agree	40.3%
Somewhat disagree	26.6%
Disagree	16.5%

I want to enjoy cooking with my children

Agree	13.6%
Somewhat agree	37.0%
Somewhat disagree	28.3%
Disagree	21.1%

Men who can cook are attractive to the opposite sex

Agree	11.8%
Somewhat agree	32.2%
Somewhat disagree	38.2%
Disagree	17.8%

Cooking is one of my hobbies

Agree	9.7%
Somewhat agree	26.0%
Somewhat disagree	33.3%
Disagree	31.0%

I want to make artistic food

Agree	7.4%
Somewhat agree	25.2%
Somewhat disagree	36.6%
Disagree	30.8%

Cooking is woman’s work

Agree	4.3%
Somewhat agree	14.5%
Somewhat disagree	35.5%
Disagree	45.7%

I think men shouldn’t enter the kitchen

Agree	3.1%
Somewhat agree	6.6%
Somewhat disagree	33.7%
Disagree	56.6%

By age, 71.3% of those men in their twenties thought cooking was cool, but only 38.0% of those in their fifties were. For reference, 85.9% of women in their twenties to forties thought it was cool, and 74.4% of them in their fifties.

Q7: Are you interesting in making bento boxes? (Sample size=516)

	Yes	No
All	29.3%	70.7%
Twenties N=129	41.1%	58.9%
Thirties N=129	28.7%	71.3%
Forties N=129	24.8%	75.2%
Fifties N=129	22.5%	77.5%

Q8: Are you interesting in baking? (Sample size=516)

	Yes	No
All	29.1%	70.9%
Twenties N=129	38.8%	61.2%
Thirties N=129	36.4%	73.6%
Forties N=129	27.1%	72.9%
Fifties N=129	24.0%	76.0%