We have been embedded with this idea of things being “black or white” . We see this in the notion of gender. When it comes to gender, society has created its own set of standards and expectations for gender. Even before one is born they are immediately labeled based on one’s genitalia.From the moment one is placed that label of boy or girl, sets one life to specific expectations and standards on how they must dress, act, talk, work , eat,ect. According to society one gender can never dabble in things that are expected of the other gender. A girl should not be seen being rough, though, or how dare they wait to have a family just for their career. Just as a boy should not be wearing dresses or makeup or be seen cooking, cleaning around the house.,But the thing is that we did this, as a society we embed these ideas and norms, these did not exist before us, we are the ones who created them and continue to follow.
In my life I have had many moments where I have said “ I wish I was a guy at this very moment”. This is because females are dealt the short end of the stick. We have to work twice as hard. I never saw my brother even lift a finger in my household. My mom spoiled him all his life. Meanwhile my sister and I had to grow up learning to be caregivers for our future children and husband. That was one thing that always bothered me , my mom saying she was teaching me to cook for my future husband. No mom, teach me to cook so when I live on my own I can feed myself. When I learned to properly clean around the house , it was all so that my future mother in law would be impressed. No mother, I learn to clean so I don’t live in my own filth. This is what I mean where this generation is more aware of the constructs around us. Our parents just relay what was thought and embedded in them to us. But because we know different things then we will do different things. Challenge and change the stigma for now and future generations.
I think this generation is very aware of everything around them. They are breaking apart the social construct that has been followed for way too long. We are aware of this idea that boys should be tough, should be responsible for the family, and females should stay home and cook and clean . We took those ideas and said “I don’t accept that ”. We fight against it. We want that black and white way of thinking to disappear, because it is not true. Everything is not as simple as black and white. Not when you have multiple identities, cultures, races, ect ..colliding. Within all the older generations I can assure that you will find many who would jump at the chance to fight back against these antiquated nations constructed by our own society.
