gender roles

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

I Witnessed Sexual Harassment and Bullying at My First Ever Job
Three years ago, when I was still a high school student, I received my first ever job offer. I had been extremely anxious for the interview and spent all night rehearsing possible questions and answers with my mom, then spent a couple hours going through my carefully highlighted interview notes with a friend in the sushi restaurant next to the movie theater I had applied to. I paired a professional blouse with the fanciest skirt I could find, trying to assume an air of impenetrable confidence.
By Ilana Quinn4 years ago in Viva
We, Women. Top Story - December 2021.
Friday, 11:43pm We stumble out of bars, laughing. The bouncers tossing us out glare at us until we stumble down to the streets. We try to gain composure momentarily. Once the doors slam shut, however, we flip off the bars and burst out laughing once again. Tears streaming down our faces, we tell one another not to jump up onto the stages next time.
By Shelby Larsen4 years ago in Viva
Goodbye Relationship Gender Roles
I was talking to someone not too long ago, and I mentioned how my ex loved drama, and how he felt like if there was no drama in the relationship something was wrong even if nothing was. He needed that to fuel his very fiery nature. He was a very passionate person, and if there was no drama, he didn’t feel that passion. They turned to me and said those words that I think are completely ridiculous. They said “That’s not normally a man thing. That’s usually a woman thing.” This is completely inaccurate. In my 38 years on this planet, one thing that I have learned is that men have the same disposition as women when it comes to relationships.
By Nailah Robinson4 years ago in Viva
The Joy of being Un-Box-Able
“So, what kind of curries do you love to cook?” asked my new boss, a lovely Englishman, with a big smile. I had moved continents to settle in a beautiful corner of the world. We were at a team bonding lunch where the senior management was getting to know the new recruits.
By Rhea Dyuti4 years ago in Viva
Amazonian Dream
At thirteen, I didn't understand the meaning of the words stereotype and inequality or what they stood for between men and women. My parents never limited me based on my gender. They raised me with love and open-mindedness, teaching me that with perseverance and hard work, anything can be achieved. As children, we often find a role-model to shape our lives around, striving to be just like them. People often choose celebrities, comic book heroes, sports icons, political figures, and the like. However, the person I most admired, and my personal hero was my grandfather, Tamu. He was well-traveled and adventurous. He spent his early teenage years exploring foreign lands digging through vast jungles mining for gold. He used to go every year for months at a time on an epic adventure living in the Amazon with a tribe called the "Wayana" in French Guiana. He was my real-life Indiana Jones.
By Orane4 years ago in Viva
Pixie, Please
In the children’s story bible that I read as a child, Delilah tempted Samson with fat wet lips and wide, lying snake-eyes. It was a bible for little girls, so the story was not about Samson’s strength but Delilah’s treachery: it was Delilah’s fault that Samson lost his strength. Delilah forced Samson to drink. Delilah drove the nails into Samson’s eyes. Delilah held the scissors - Delilah did the cutting.
By Kira DeSomma 4 years ago in Viva
What We Need To Unlearn From Indian Movies
Picture this: A beautiful morning in a big and beautiful house with sounds of female singing coming, a few family members praying with their hands folded in a temple inside the house. The woman singing the prayer is conservatively dressed in a sari with her head covered and face full of devotion.
By Richa Khare4 years ago in Viva
The Duality of the Modern Woman
How do we reconcile embracing freedom and self-agency with the ever-present cultural demand for perpetuating the species? I've grappled with this challenge over the past two years. You don't have to be a homemaker to feel strongly about the prospect of procreation -- I've met otherwise diehard feminists who laud the praises of motherhood. Of course, it's not for everyone, but how do you know if you fall in the category of the Abstainers, the Electors, or the Obligates?
By Taylor Sells4 years ago in Viva
Harnessing Our Strength As Women
These roles rarely vary among daughters and wives except for the marital duty the wife owes her husband and the daughter who has to attend to her education which some wives also do. Let's note that in the typical rural setting, the girl-child may not have the opportunity to attend school instead she probably goes to the farm or any other duty assigned by her parents.
By Anita Hass..‏4 years ago in Viva
Home life struggles.
It’s the 21st Century and in many cultures and societies today, a woman is still expected to cook, clean, take care of the kids, be at home etc. For me, I never envisioned myself being a stay at home mum by choice even though my mother did it herself until my younger sister turned 3. Hats off though to those women who are stay at home mums. It is a challenging but rewarding job indeed. As for myself, I just want to work and be a mum but I’ve been told otherwise countless times by parents, in-laws and other people with the same, old fashion mindset. I’ve heard it all - the guilt tripping, the downside to working and not being there for your kids, the missing your kids grow up speech or you’re the woman let your husband do the working speech. In all fairness, I could see where they were coming from but what I tend to forget half the time is that that is just their opinion. I do let a lot of things get to me to a point where I’m balling my eyes out, I feel like I don’t have control over my emotions, rethinking my life choices and my work choices. And this is wrong. This shouldn’t affect me at all but sometimes it does. I’m sure some of you ladies out there are going through something similar because I sure hope I’m not the only one.
By Kathleen 4 years ago in Viva
Why Forcing Married Couples Into Traditional Roles Can Make Them Hate Each Other
“I’m ready for marriage, my boyfriend is so lucky,“ she wrote on her Instagram while disclosing a photo of a cake she’s baked.
By Denisa4 years ago in Viva
Dr. Cyn, OBGYN:
The vagina is an amazingly complex organ. It can be a source of great pleasure, but it also has many other vital functions that are easily overlooked when it comes to our health and wellness. Just ask Dr. Cynthia “Cyn” Wesley, Board-certified OBGYN, a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Author of the newly released book, Beauty Below: A Guide to Intimate Wellness and Beauty For Dark Skin.
By Dr. P. Gurley4 years ago in Viva