Week 4
For your enjoyment:
It feels like girls have more stuff we’re expected to carry but smaller pockets. It’s like they want us to buy purses or something.
I don’t think I would have normally found this cartoon funny, but now I love it. I immeadetly connected it to how we value masculinity and it’s more okay for girls to be tom boys than boys to be sissys.
I know I’m young, but as awful as this sounds I hate children and I don’t want any. Anytime this comes up people ALWAYS say, “you’ll change your mind/you’d be a great mom/you’ll regret it if you don’t.” It bothers me that it’s expected of me to have children, when men can not want or have children and they’re never questioned like women are. I know females typically come to mind in areas of family and child care, but why do only women have to feel guilty about not having children later in life? I’d much rather not have the expense of them my whole life and enjoy it for myself, even if that’s selfish in certain eyes.
I’ve never been a close conformer with typical feminine gender stereotypes really. I have never liked playing with dolls and don’t even remember owning any. My prefered toys were mostly stuffed or figure animals. I have always been a daddy’s girl and we got into softball together when I was five. I’ve considered myself a tom boy since I got started in sports and while I think I am more neutral now I still fall to that side more often. I think my upbringing and perspective has made me resent feminine gender expectations more.
Human Sexuality Blog 
I love how honest and raw you are in this post. This just goes to emphasize how you are breaking those gender norms by voicing your opinion and beliefs rather than being put in a corner. It doesn’t seem like anyone can put Alex in a corner.
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Hi Alex!
I was a tomboy growing up as well, so I definitely understand at least part of the whole growing up with social expectations situation. I think it’s great that you’re not feeling pressure to conform to what people assume you are going to do; I don’t think you wanting to take charge of your own life is selfish at all! Also, I love your female pants pocket meme. Great post!
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I definitely understand that not wanting kids thing. When I was younger, I always said I wanted “11 kids.” I must have been insane. Now, I wish I could get my tubes tied for graduation. If I do change my mind in the future, I would love to adopt! Unfortunately, women aren’t exactly able to make that choice. But that isn’t a topic for today.
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I like you grew up outside of gender norms. Where you did not play with dolls I secretly did and would borrow my sister’s barbies and pretend to have little runway shows with them. As I grew older I did in a way conform slightly to the stereotypes surrounding my gender by joining a sports team and I do enjoy video games. But I never did grow out of that fashion side of myself.
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