From what I’ve read the female stereotypic role is to marry and have children. She is also to put her family’s welfare before her own; be loving, compassionate, caring, nurturing, and sympathetic; and find time to be sexy and feel beautiful. The male stereotypic role is to be the financial provider. He is also to be assertive, competitive, independent, courageous, and career-focused; hold his emotions in check; and always initiate sex.
Alright so obviously this does not hold true for all women or all men for that matter in this country. This is my issue with gender stereotypes. I was made to believe in a very liberal household that I was to be all the woman stereotypes, plus being asssertive, independent, courageous, career-focused, and sex be a mutual thing. If I waited every time my husband wanted to have sex then I wouldn’t have had it as often.
I don’t agree with raising children in gender stereotypes either. Why is it pink all the time for my girls, and princesses, and cute pretty things with ruffles? I fight so hard to make their childhood balanced in that way. It is extremely difficult.
Look what happened to me in our gender stereotyping society. I was repressed for years! I finally had the strength to come out about who I am and I feel like I am alive. I feel like I’m not suffocating anymore. It took away part of my life. I am still a woman, I am still Katrina, but now I feel 100% comfortable with my sexuality, which in turn is a huge part of myself that I was repressing and hiding. I still am an active mother in my girls’ lives. I am still a part of my family and their extended families. We are still a family and always will be.
It really is amazing how I thought by being true to myself would change everything for the worse. I was so wrong. I am so thankful to everyone, even those that don’t understand have been so supportive and I appreciate that will all that I have.
So, let’s get the word out on gender stereotyping. To the children of the present and future. Let them decide what they want to wear, and play with, and the colors and friends that make them unique and whole. Happiness is in what they want for themselves, not what we want them to aspire to be.
Advertisement
