Growing up in a conservative household, traditional gender roles were a constant topic of discussion. My parents firmly believed that men should be the providers and women should be the caregivers. As a result, my brother and I were raised with very different expectations and responsibilities.
One of the most striking examples of this was in the kitchen. My mother was expected to do all of the cooking and cleaning, while my father rarely set foot in the kitchen. Even as a child, I could see the unfairness in this division of labor. My mother worked just as hard as my father, but she was never given the same opportunities to rest and relax. Instead, she was always on call, ready to cook, clean, or care for my brother and me.
Despite my parents' expectations, my brother and I were not immune to the effects of traditional gender roles. As the oldest child, I was often expected to help my mother in the kitchen, while my brother was given a free pass. I was taught how to cook, clean, and care for children, while my brother was taught how to fix cars and mow the lawn. While I enjoyed learning these skills, I couldn't help but feel that my brother was getting the better end of the deal.
As I grew older, I began to question these gender roles more and more. I saw how they limited my mother's opportunities and left her feeling unfulfilled. I also saw how they limited my own opportunities and forced me into a narrow box of expectations. I began to wonder why gender had to be such a defining factor in our lives.
One day, I decided to confront my parents about their views on gender roles. I asked them why they believed that men and women should have such different expectations and responsibilities. My father responded that it was simply the way things had always been done. My mother responded that she didn't mind doing the cooking and cleaning, as long as it meant that she could stay home with her children.
I was disappointed by their responses, but I wasn't surprised. Traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained in our society, and it can be difficult to break free from them. However, I refused to let these expectations limit my own life. I continued to pursue my interests in science and technology, even though these fields are often seen as "masculine." I also continued to cook and clean, but I did it on my own terms, not because I felt like I had to.
In recent years, society has become more accepting of non-traditional gender roles. Women