Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Gender Roles

November 23, 2010
7:00pm

I was talking with my boyfriend about the gender bender assignment and we started to get going about how both of our parents do not follow typical gender roles in the home and therefore we follow them less as well. For example, his dad does all the cooking and his mom does that dishes after dinner. In my household my parents took turns cooking and my siblings and I took turns doing the dishes. Mike came to the conclusion that his parents try things and they do what they are good at regardless of gender roles. For example, his dad does all the tree trimming because he is better at it than his mom. She tried once but had trouble making it even so it was decided that his dad should do that job. I like the idea that both would try something and whoever is best is the one who performs that job. It is sort of how I have it set up now. I live with my brother and he takes out the trash because it is one of my least favorite things to do and I do the dishes because it is his least favorite thing to do. I like the idea that the guy I am currently with is not set by rigid gender roles in the home. Even though we are not at that point in our relationship, it is good to know that if we get to that point that I am not going to be expected to do all the cooking and cleaning while he does all the yard work.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

November 10, 2010
7:50 pm

This past weekend I was talking with the camp director about the paper I wrote about calling the campers "guys". I found it interesting that her opinion was almost the exact opposite of mine. She felt that by making a point of calling the campers "girls" or "ladies" we are pointing out that we are different and that this is a small space away from everyone else. She felt that we would be distancing ourselves even further with feminine word choices. Although I disagree with her, it was great to have a lively, intelligent conversation about topics from class outside the classroom. I really felt like I was applying the things I learned in class and was doing my part to make positive changes within my society.