gender roles

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

The Baby Question
I want to take a moment to talk about something that we as a society think we are totally cool with, but in reality, we're not.
By Lauren Baldwin5 years ago in Viva
She Conquers
Women in power. There’s not a ton. The numbers are not in our favor. Even with a woman Vice President, the numbers for women in power in the United States are low. Although we are far from the most suppressed group in the world, we are a breed that is slept on. Only twenty-six percent of the house and senate is made up of women. For state legislatures we sit a bit higher at thirty percent. Of fortune five hundred CEOs, women make up about seven percent.
By Michelle Schultz5 years ago in Viva
What it means to be a woman
What it means to be a woman, even though it varies from country to country and from generation to generation, has the same basis for all of us. Every single one of us, that I personally know, have been told at one time or another that we are not enough of a woman. Some of us have even been told so as recently as today, the international celebration of womanhood!
By Sandra Tena5 years ago in Viva
A Most Un-Libra Libra
When I was young, I was considered to be on the cusp between Libra and Scorpio. The perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Somewhere over the years, though, that definition changed just enough to see me kicked firmly back into full Libra.
By Kylie T5 years ago in Viva
Boys Will be Boys (because we let them)
A young girl is standing with her friends on the playground during recess. Out of nowhere, one of the boys in her class runs by and pushes her and then takes off. When the little girl gets upset she’s told, “it’s okay. He only did it because he likes you.” Suddenly, she is the envy of all the other kindergarten girls. They want a boy to push them, too.
By Kristen Nazzaro5 years ago in Viva
I am tired of being labelled as a strong black woman.
If I were to tell you that I carry the entire world on my back would you believe me? Well, that is how it feels right now. Being a woman already has its dangers accompanied to it but a black woman? That is on another level and an open door to being a target. A target to be told that you should or should not do this or that. A target to be scrutinized about everything you said or did not say. Even with our own personal struggles we still must deal with what the world wants to dump on our shoulders.
By Feliciana Lumona5 years ago in Viva
Mirror Image
Across the tight, coarse sheets they lay scattered. Innocently staring back at you in your foetal position against the plastic webbed, white lounger. Their colour, their pop so out of place in this room filled with cheap mosaics of views that are a mere hundred meters down the road. The dull beige walls cracked and chipped, lacking substance.
By Arunika5 years ago in Viva
Balancing Acts
It was a cold winter morning in an average American suburb. As Holly vacuumed the living room carpet, her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the USPS truck in the window. It braked, stopped to load their mailbox, then maneuvered between the parked cars and piles of snow, both obstacles that Holly found unacceptable. Can't they park in their own driveways? And couldn't the snow plowers leave enough space for two cars on the road? She took a deep breath: before she could get the mail, she needed to finish cleaning up the mess from her four year old's latest culinary arts experimentation. Once done, she turned on the television to keep the younger ones occupied, shielded herself against the elements with her heaviest down coat, and finally trudged outside.
By Desi Bell5 years ago in Viva
Those Not-So-Trivial things people say to women
It was New Year’s Eve, and my family and I were getting ready to head up to my aunt’s place. My dad and I were waiting in the living room. As usual, he served himself a glass of alcohol to take in the car.
By lorenacol5 years ago in Viva
“Consent Classes” — Kenya’s Unique Approach to Rape Prevention
Recently, I saw a video on Facebook, regarding the amazing initiative taken up by the schools in Nairobi, Kenya. They were educating boys and girls about consent, respecting women from an early age, masculinity ,and sexual harassment. This was one of the very few videos in recent times, which connected with me so profoundly and led me to research more about it.
By Shruthi Sundaram5 years ago in Viva
A Woman's Life
To be a Woman Why is it, that the year is 2021, and women still must fight so hard to find equality, respect, and success? Why is it, that we as women, are judged just because we possess breasts and a vagina?
By Amanda Purcell5 years ago in Viva
On Disabilities, Relationships, and Gender Roles
As we have begun defining and redefining gender roles and gender types, now is the perfect time to explore the effects physical disabilities have on sexuality and gender types. Disabled people are often overlooked when people discuss the tensions that arise from stereotypical gender roles, however, trying to fit these societal molds for females and males can be difficult when living with a disability. Indisputably, gender typing impacts everyone: women are told they should not pursue certain careers, men are asked to mask their emotions, and boys and girls are expected to play different sports. Non-binary folks are often dismissed. Disabled people are no exception to this, and yet it is harder for them to meet these expectations. Superficial distinctions between genders are the most obvious culprit of this issue. For instance many disabled women are unable to apply makeup or wear high heels. Men often cannot attain the “ideal” muscle tone due to chronic fatigue or inability to lift weights. Admittedly, these are superficial qualities, yet when searching for a romantic partner or perhaps even a friend, people look for these qualities before seeking out someone who is kind, intelligent, or funny. Yes, people do search for these more substantial qualities too, but one’s physical appearance is more accessible at a glance than one’s personality is. Disabled people are not immune to the desire for companionship, however, they often struggle to find a partner willing to accept them. Disabled men are not typically viewed as masculine and strong and disabled women are not typically viewed as beautiful and feminine.
By Erica Mones5 years ago in Viva