Gender Confusion

So today I was confronted and was told that I am going to confuse my son about the roles of genders. Hello!!! Are we living in the 1800s?? I am sorry but living in the world today there is nothing that I am personally doing that will confuse him about gender roles. Honestly I don't want him to think that there are "stereotypical roles" and maybe that is wrong.

So the reason this was said to me is because we have been spending an awful lot of time at the Home Depot because we are building a retaining wall, stairs and a walkway. Now call me crazy but having my son exposed to this is not confusing the "gender roles". I think that if something is worth doing anyone can do it. I don't think that a woman should ONLY do housework and gardening. So what if I want to get dirty and build a retaining wall. It isn't a big deal it is a wall! Not saying that I think women can do whatever they want and men are left to their "roles". I think that a man should also do things outside of this stereotypical "gender role". There is nothing wrong with a man that can cook, clean, or raise children.

I am not trying to make an example or set a double standard. I just do not think that it is such a big deal for a woman to do "man's work" (as it was so humbly put to me). We don't live in a society were women are delicate fragile beings anymore that has all gone out the window. So If I want to build a wall or pave a walkway. That is what I am going to do. I am not anti men or anything like that, And I don't think that it is going to confuse a little boy if mommy is out building a wall in the backyard. I think it might actually be better for him to understand that men and women do not have set "roles" and can contribute to whatever they please.

I haven't heard anyone yelling about gender confusion when my dad spends hours sweeping and mopping the floor then cooks dinner. And there certainly isn't a role reversal going on in this household. I cook just as much as the men in the house and I am outside working just as much as they are as well. It makes me a little angry when people are poking there nose into things that aren't really any of their business. I think having Max exposed to this is more beneficial to his perspective of society than it would be to expose him to "gender role" stereotypes.

reflections

I am about to end my first semester in college; although I was very tentative to go back I am thoroughly pleased. When I first signed all the paperwork and got my class schedule i was a bit disheartened. I thought that my credits would transfer so I wasn't expecting to take all the general education classes over again. I wouldn't have minded taking the A&P because honestly I would need a refresher course.

With my first thoughts of my schedule being as negative as they were i didn't think I would get much out of my first seven classes. Friday will be the last day of class on my last general education class and looking back i have learned more than I thought I would and I have enjoyed more of my classes than I thought as well. Right now I am about to take the final in my American Literature class and i have to admit; aside from A&P I & II this class has been my favorite. I have a month off from school and I think I will take a crack at some of the books on her book list. I have always enjoyed reading but I really didn't expect this class to be much fun. However, I knew that it would be from the first day of class.

I am almost finished than i have a month off and start with my core classes; which will be very intensive. I am really excited!

FA

Why is Financial Aide so confusing?? They should really be a little more personal on the subject and let us know what is going on. It is after all our money right, our credit, and our tuition expenses. I walked out of that office completely confused. I thought that all of my questions were answered; and I guess that they were. However, I still just don't know. For as expensive as this college is you would think that they would have more access to student loans that will help to cover everything! Not just federal and stafford. Now I need to wait on a call back about what my scedule is supposed to be and if I have to pay for the microbiology class. That is ridiculous. to have one class that is singled out like that and expect a student to just come up with the money for it out of pocket? yeah right it starts in May and i find out about it in March?? Crazy