gender roles
A look at the evolution of gender roles, from Leave It to Beaver, paternity leave, female breadwinners and more.
Be Your Own Hero. Top Story - March 2022.
I’ve been pondering the subject of “Be Your Own Hero”. Here in the Western world, and maybe your part of the world also, we were told fairy tales in which a ‘hero’ came along and rescued the fair maiden who was in dire straits, be it a dragon, evil stepmother, witch, sorcerer, greedy king or whatever. This instilled in us as young female children, that we needed an outside influence to rescue us from whatever life brought us that was beyond our control to overcome.
By Jean Sumrall4 years ago in Viva
The Dilemma of the Modern Woman
When I said the dilemma of the modern woman, I did not mean how she is dressed, but the dilemma of the contemporary woman with me. I mean, you. More or less, we are all in the same contemporary social pot, which contains its specific ingredients, some even unique.
By Mike Blackwell4 years ago in Viva
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
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
