gender roles

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

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
Words Heard, Words Read
When it comes to the social status quo, everything's a mess. According to media females are supposed to act one way, while males are to act another way. Females were taught to be nice, wear pretty clothes, put on makeup, and to “respected the man”. Males were taught to play sports, lift weights, don’t cry, and to act tough. However, none of these “traits” are found in every male of female. Some men are not tough, while some women lift weights. All men cry and not all women are going to “respect the man”. Whether, they were taught through music, family, or videos, the lessons learned don’t need to be taught anymore. In this essay I argue that the music I listen, the stories I’ve read, and the videos I’ve watched has shaped my views on sexuality and helped develop my personal and social identity.
By Kay M4 years ago in Viva
Being a Woman
Being a woman sucks, plain and fucking simple. Times have changed but not enough. Women are still the minority in this world. It goes men, children, the elderly, animals and then women. We come fucking last always, no matter what. This world is cruel and not made to have women in power.
By LeAnn Murch4 years ago in Viva
Masculinity and violence
95% of homicides on the planet are committed by men (UN, 2013), 93.2% of people in prison are men (WPL, University of London, 2018), 75% of suicides are carried out by men (600,000 each year)… These are examples that reflect an objective reality that indicates that “violence is a man's thing”.
By Sarmad Mayo4 years ago in Viva
The List of 5 Ridiculous Things a Man Has Told Me About Womanhood. Top Story - September 2021.
Women talk too much. That’s what some men say these days, isn’t it? Women talk and talk and don’t know when to stop. Well, as true as that may be sometimes, it can also just be a huge male moment of projecting without self-awareness. Contrary to popular belief, men can talk too much as well — especially when it comes to womanhood.
By Denisa4 years ago in Viva
They Say Girls Are Mediocre Drivers
"You drive so slowly!" "No! Don't overtake like this." "For God's sake now drive properly, for how many years are you driving anyways?"
By Richa Khare4 years ago in Viva