gender roles

A look at the evolution of gender roles, from Leave It to Beaver, paternity leave, female breadwinners and more.

Beyond the Scales
The princess curled herself up in a ball, doing her best to ignore the chains which shackled her wrists as she tried to get comfortable on her bed. She was acutely aware that her fever was getting dangerously high, and she wondered how long it would be before the prince would come and rescue her, because she wasn’t sure how much longer she could withstand the heat in the dungeon.
By Jade Fitzgerald8 years ago in Viva
'Girls Mature Faster'—Is This a Fact or Simply an Excuse to Treat Girls More Harshly?
Not so long ago, I was aimlessly scrolling through the news and I came across an article describing a controversial video that had gone viral. It consisted of Vladimir Putin’s top pilot team dancing around, extremely underdressed, and performing household tasks to the early 2000s hit "Satisfaction." It struck me as quite a sexual video, almost like a male version of the music video for the Benny Benassi song. As I scrolled down the article I saw the words: “Nothing is disgraceful here, just young lads with a good sense of humour.”
By Vicky Babczyk8 years ago in Viva
Masculine Femininity
Since the beginning of time, men have been institutionalised to believe that they cannot express any emotion or signs of weakness due to fear of appearing "feminine."
By Kiara Williamson8 years ago in Viva
Desperately Seeking Mary Wollestonecraft
Attendant Worries Over Letting Go On the day that I, a single dad, dropped off my daughter on her first day of preschool, I was close to tears. It takes a lot. Now she is 16, and I had just watched her go off to do her thing with two friends. As they walk away I can only feel an echo of the first preschool day. It's a wordless concern about all of the things that could happen to my girl as she ventures off without me.
By H. Robert Mac8 years ago in Viva
15 Things You Are Sick of Hearing When You Don't Want Kids
I'm pretty confident I don't want kids. I have a hard enough time taking care of myself ... so I can't imagine trying to take care of another life on top of that. I might consider adoption or being a foster mom ... but here is the thing, I'm not afraid of child birth. I mean yes, it looks awful, but if I did decide to have a kid, that seems like a small price to pay to make life. The reason why I don't want kids is because it is a huge decision and a huge amount of responsibility that would forever change my life. The fact that I have a choice not to have a kid in the first place seems like a blessing. There are other ways for me to become a motherly figure and influence people's lives without actually having my own.
By Test8 years ago in Viva
I Don’t Want to Be Your Superwoman
It’s a bittersweet thing to be seen by others as Superwoman. Although at first glance it may seem like a compliment, after earning my Superwoman title I’ve realized that it ain’t all good. In fact, I’m just furthermore convinced that Superwoman had to be one tired ass lady.
By Stephanee mckiney8 years ago in Viva
Me Too. Still
Let's talk about men. Not all men (get it? It's funny because it's not funny), but definitely a significant number of them. How did a movement that is about empowering women get hijacked by men with victim complexes? How did men manage to make yet another thing that isn't theirs all about them? It was never about them or "men's rights" or "meninism" (I almost can't even type either phrase because they're so ridiculous), but they've made it about them, so let's talk about it. They asked for it.
By Stripes Joplin8 years ago in Viva
Motherhood on My Time
I received a text message from my mom this past Sunday, Mother’s Day, that my cousin was pregnant and to call her. I thought it was an innocent thing to inform me that we’re welcoming a new baby into the family and to talk to her only daughter on Mother’s Day since I wasn’t able to come into to town for a visit.
By Kristina Tingler8 years ago in Viva
Feminism
Emotions, aka feelings, are felt by everybody. They are specific reactions to an event or as a response to something that happens and are usually experienced as fear, hate, love, happiness, or envy. But they are normal. Completely and utterly normal.
By Maya Conroy8 years ago in Viva
Fictional Characters I Admire
Like most of my generation, I grew up watching TV. There are probably hundreds of studies that tell you watching too much TV is bad for you, they're most likely right. However, I learned a LOT about life and myself through fictional characters and storylines. Some of the actresses behind these fictional characters have even become some of my favourite idols, and they do deserve the title "idol" because they are doing some amazing work in the activist world, and I am so happy with the fact that I get to admire the actress as well as the character. Whether I related to the character or they made me feel like I could face my own demons, I want to thank these women for making these characters so relatable and playing them so well!
By Shannon Courtney8 years ago in Viva
Things Boys Learn by Age 5 That Perpetuate Rape Culture
Through a combination of parenting and unconscious indoctrination, there are many things boys learn by age 5 that perpetuate rape culture. And if you find the term "rape culture" to be too much, ask yourself if the widespread sexual violence exposed by the #MeToo movement is itself too much.
By Ben Kharakh8 years ago in Viva
A Small Box
If you grow up in a female body, this is what society will tell you: you are fragile, weak, and inferior. You should wear pink: dresses, bows, ruffles, and sparkles from head to toe, and you should never do anything that could get you dirty. Now, you may be the kind of girl who likes to wear shorts and t-shirts, who skins her knees climbing trees and stains her white dress jumping in mud puddles on rainy spring days. If that is the case you’re not a girl at all, you are a tomboy. Oh, you like sports, and you asked for a toy gun and soccer cleats for Christmas? Well, you’re getting an American Girl doll, a new dress, and a play kitchen equipped with mini cleaning supplies. Everyone knows that trucks and tools, blocks and guns, these things are for boys. If you’re a girl and you like these things, you’re simply abnormal. Oh, and your best friend Charlie, you simply have to have romantic feelings for. I mean you’re only eight...but you chase him on the playground, share animal crackers with him at lunch, plus, you were the only girl at his birthday party, and girls and boys can’t just be friends. There is more going on, even if you don’t know it yet. Also, you suck at science, math, and anything that requires actual thought. You should stick to reading and writing, keeping the house clean, you know, "lady's work." You can’t play football or soccer or any of those man sports because you will get hurt, and you will get muddy. So, try out for cheerleading instead, it is a better fit for you after all. You were put on this Earth to support the men.
By M Krizan8 years ago in Viva