Gender was understood, and I was expected to stay in a certain mental space, a space that fit my gender. My family had expectations of how I should act, dress, play games, and who I should play with. I was expected to wear dresses, cross my legs, wear pink, and play with Barbie’s, and baby dolls. I was encouraged when I grow up to get married, and stay at home to raise my 2.5 children. Along with my 2.5 children and husband, make sure I stayed home to cook, clean, and essentially be there to serve everyone’s needs. Essentially I was being molded to be a product of my mother. I was never given a football, or even a choice in the color I may wear. I loved the color green which my wardrobe was lacking, but consisted more so of pastels. Although I may have wanted to play a ball game with the boys in my neighborhood. I knew my parents would say no. You’ll hurt yourself, boys are too rough, go play with your dolls. And I also knew the boys would have ostracized me from having any part in their “all boys team”. It just wasn’t allowed, or accepted. Why? Because I had to follow what scripted roles were created for me? These roles have and still seem so relevant. How, and why do we still remain so far gone from making the necessary changes? Will we ever be able to form our own identities, and not have society be such a strong influence on how were supposed to act. Just
Gender was understood, and I was expected to stay in a certain mental space, a space that fit my gender. My family had expectations of how I should act, dress, play games, and who I should play with. I was expected to wear dresses, cross my legs, wear pink, and play with Barbie’s, and baby dolls. I was encouraged when I grow up to get married, and stay at home to raise my 2.5 children. Along with my 2.5 children and husband, make sure I stayed home to cook, clean, and essentially be there to serve everyone’s needs. Essentially I was being molded to be a product of my mother. I was never given a football, or even a choice in the color I may wear. I loved the color green which my wardrobe was lacking, but consisted more so of pastels. Although I may have wanted to play a ball game with the boys in my neighborhood. I knew my parents would say no. You’ll hurt yourself, boys are too rough, go play with your dolls. And I also knew the boys would have ostracized me from having any part in their “all boys team”. It just wasn’t allowed, or accepted. Why? Because I had to follow what scripted roles were created for me? These roles have and still seem so relevant. How, and why do we still remain so far gone from making the necessary changes? Will we ever be able to form our own identities, and not have society be such a strong influence on how were supposed to act. Just