gender roles
A look at the evolution of gender roles, from Leave It to Beaver, paternity leave, female breadwinners and more.
A Woman's Worth
It used to be that a woman's worth lied in her virginity, her purity; what men believed her to be. Growing up, that was all I ever heard. Don't date, don't be easy, a good man won't want to marry you if you aren't a virgin. Accepting your sexuality, as a woman, was the equivalent of blasphemy or committing some unspeakable crime. Yet when young boys went out and slept with 10, 20, 30 girls, they were considered conquistadors, gods; accomplished. It was damaging and confusing to grow up unable to ask questions and feeling like sex wasn't meant to satisfy me and even coming up with extensive lies so that the day I got married, my parents wouldn't be shamed because I wasn't a virgin. This twisted sense of our self-worth being measured by what men thought of us stopped me from coming forward the first time I was sexually assaulted, and the second time, and the third, and so forth. I always rationalized that letting anyone know would break my parents' hearts and that people would know I was worthless, unworthy of love or affection, damaged, unable to be repaired.
By Lois Lopez8 years ago in Viva
How I Survived My Past
At the ripe age of 20, I among many others have experienced what life is like after being raped. I was around the age of 4 or 5 (I was young, and it's hard to remember exact ages). I was introduced to a sexual life that I shouldn't have had to live or understand until I was much older. This ultimately altered my life and my perception of myself.
By Roxanne Smith8 years ago in Viva
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
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
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
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
