Much to his chagrin, my parents let me read all of my brother’s books and play with his Lego, microscope and chemistry set.
Next post: Day 29 Links
Previous post: Day 28 Links
VatulBlog by Maitri Erwin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Powered by Wordpress with the DIYThemes Thesis theme.
You needed permission?
My brother preferred that I ask first. They were his things.
I knew girls growing up who weren’t allowed to touch their brothers’ or dads’ things because they were boy things and boys knew better, etc. The doors to my brother’s bookshelf were always open with books pouring out and scientific gadgetry everywhere. My parents didn’t even scold me when I accidentally lit a portion of my bedroom carpet on fire while using the chemistry set. They were pretty strict about other things, but not this stuff.
Interesting things I’ve noticed about many folks from the Indian subcontinent: Desi parents don’t segregate their kids in terms of gender-based education until they are of marriageable age. Once the daughter is in her mid-20s, that’s enough education; it’s time for marriage. A son can go on to do whatever. Americans separate their kids into gender-based roles at a much earlier age. Thankfully, my folks did neither and are happy when I achieve in education and career. (There was some push to get married, but it was mostly half-hearted because they knew I’d do what I wanted to do.)
You are blessed.
But you knew that.
My dad searched high and low for a chemistry set to buy me, but by about 1990 or so, all of the cool stuff had been replaced by lame-o grow your own crystals sets. He wanted a scientist out of one of us girls. Instead he made sure we both got computers early and ended up with a programmer and a graphic designer.
Both mom and dad had only brothers, and mom was always mad that the boys wouldn’t let her play with them, so they weren’t up for stopping us from doing “boy” stuff, rather, it was encouraged. They didn’t really know how to raise two girls “normally.”
Great cartoon!
When my own Precious Daughter was much smaller, I bought her a toy dump truck and leveler and showed her how to play with them and make the “Vrroom! Vrrroom!” noises. She showed no interest. I think it is not an exaggeration that to say she NEVER played with those toys.
Today I am happy to say that while she still has no interest in construction vehicles, she loves math and science and is very excited to be starting high school next year at Benjamin Franklin.
Also, of the 11 engineers under my supervision, 5 are women. Yes, men are currently the majority of the engineering profession, but that won’t last.
Peace,
Tim
Tim,
Girls having access to and playing with trucks and chemistry sets is not the solution as much as parents who keep all options for their kids. Exposure is the key and it’s more effective. If mom and dad have already placed you in pre-defined roles, where is the personal motivation and curiosity?