I learned to cook from my dad, who was a professional chef. He didn't give me a choice when I was younger and now that I look back at that, he made the right decision.
I had to learn mostly on my own, I do remember my family cooking large meals for the holidays but by the time I was a teen it was mostly left to me. I want my kids to learn first hand, not "because they have to", you know?
I pretty much had to teach myself when I was with my ex because she refused to cook (among other things). Now I am remarried to a woman who loves to cook so we both get in the kitchen together and create all sorts of stuff and have a blast.