Gender

     Gender plays a larger role in life than one would imagine.  Throughout my life, I have been taught that it is impolite for "ladies" to act inappropriately, that I should never be the sole supporter of a family if I have a husband who is perfectly fine, and that women are expected to always look put together and socially acceptable.  I have learned many of those things just through observation.  In this class, I have learned some of the harsh realities that include the fact that a woman almost always earns significantly less money than a man in the workforce. However, I have also learned that my gender should not matter; I have been taught specifically by my parents and the Mount to work as hard as I can to push past the boundaries and be treated equally to any man in my profession.

     I have an older brother, so I have noticed some differences in the ways we were raised.  When we were younger, if one of us got injured, Geoffrey was told to "shake it off" or "toughen up" and my injury was usually examined and covered with a band-aid or a kiss.  As we got older, Geoffrey was always expected to "protect me" if the two of us went out together or met with friends.  Geoffrey was given more leniency in high school because he was "a guy" and apparently bad things don't happen to them as often.  Now, when I go out with friends, I experience the lectures that include, "always take a friend to the bathroom," "text me when you get there," and "be home at this time."
     Attending an all girls school like the Mount has taught me two things.  First, gender does have an impact in today's society; second, we (the Mount) are going to provide with the necessary tools and knowledge to change the statement.  The Mount has helped me understand that in addition to very intelligent and powerful men in the world, there are some very intelligent women who deserve the chance to be powerful.  Identifying myself as a woman mean that I am going to face some obstacles and prejudices in the workforce, but it also means that I have an opportunity to make a difference in today's world.  At the Mount, I have been taught to be confident.  I have been taught to set high goals for myself and never stop trying to reach them.  The Mount has impacted me in such a way that no man or any other person, for that matter, can alter.
      In my future romantic relationships, I don't want my husband to be such a traditionalist that he forces me to stay home while he goes to work and supports the family.  I want to be with a man who wants me to be my own person.  I also want him to want to protect me or to bring home flowers or to let me stay at home while our kids our little, but I need him to let me pursue my dreams if I have that opportunity.  If I end up having a higher salary than him, he needs to accept that.  I base these ideals mostly off of my parents.  My mom was a teacher and principle for around thirty years and my dad has always been a CEO.  My mom stopped working when I was in third grade to spend more time with my brother and me.  However, my dad never tells my mom she can't do something.  He just wants her be happy, whether that consists of doing volunteer work for the Mount or getting another teaching job after I graduate from high school.  To me, my parents are an ideal couple.  They don't have traditionalist views, they don't try to one up each other, they just try to make each other happy.