The gender relations system has characterized my understanding of myself and my relationships with others. Being the oldest daughter with three other sisters in Peru, this characteristic of always having to be enrolled early into the definition of myself as a caretaker and protector developed my identity to center around the expectation of valuing others’ concerns over mine. This is an early social condition where, in line with cultural expectations, I had to act to submerge my aspirations and personal dreams to support the family. The critical juncture in my life occurred when my aunt offered me the opportunity to move to America, which prompted a reevaluation of deeply ingrained gender roles. Top of Form It made me ponder doubly about the gendered expectations thrown at me and how that would constitute having to envision a future where only traditional roles would determine how, essentially, my value would be seen. As I reflected, I realized how, in a significant way, gender relations have dramatically affected my self-understanding and respect within relationships, hence shaping my identity and how I interact with others.
The offer from my aunt to move to the US marked a turning point in my awareness of societal influences and their impact on my life. Before this pivotal moment, growing up in Peru, I had internalized the responsibility of social obligation as the first daughter, adhering to norms without questioning their consequences. However, I assumed the duties of a caretaker were ambivalent in the wake of other obligations. I believed that providing individual aspirations for family well-being was not an option but a compulsion (Kay & Shipman, 2014). However, whenever I was finally allowed to stay and study in the US, I questioned those perceptions more in-depth. I discovered how much they had been limiting my choices and not allowing my personality to blossom. It became an eye-opener, setting forth a new attitude where challenging societal views and seeking a future where I did not fit the traditional roles were not solely determining my worth.
Gender is a social system of frames in which it has provided and, to a specific limit, limited opportunities in my life. The system of gendering determines opportunities, types, and paths from a tender age that are appropriate to my gender regarding the ground rules. These societal norms likely influenced my educational choices, steering me toward specific paths while possibly deterring me from others based on traditional gender stereotypes. Gender relations in personal relationships would primarily have affected expectations in behavior, with the balance to be made in putting others’ needs over my own. Besides, these societal norms also impacted my career goals and future aspirations, as specific industries or leadership roles may have seemed less accessible due to gender biases and expectations (Patrick, 2021). Moving along with the prospects, the work-family interface is suspected to have thoroughly affected future conditions to the extent that traditional gender roles are highly influential during career advancements, family planning, or work-life balance decisions.
Gender, as a system of social practices, profoundly impacted my life. It shaped me through various channels, such as culture, family dynamics, religion, hobbies, work experiences, organizational tasks, and extended societal norms. Top of Form Right from childhood, I witnessed the first adherence to gender roles and expectations through cultural traditions, family dynamics, and how religion is carried out. These are primarily involved in those things that deal with men and the expectations regarding society that come with them. Patriarchal norms strongly influence arrangements of power, behaviors, and duties corresponding to gender. Religious beliefs also often shape traditional notions about gender and expectations within these roles (DiTomaso & Johnson, 2021). At work, I was also subjected to the gender bias of inequalities of opportunity, unequal chances of advancement, and even disparities in earnings. Through this, I could go through a process where I felt empowered and learned to exercise my autonomy over my body. Thus, I have since been learning to question and wrestle with gender norms in ways that foreground systemic inequalities of gender and advance the opposition through the gender activism that is done.
In conclusion, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the complex system of gender relations, which has profoundly shaped my understanding of myself and my interactions with the world around me. From an early age, most of my life, especially the dynamics within my family, made me feel like most people’s wants and needs were significantly more important than mine. However, the moments of introspection, such as the opportunity to move to the US, challenged these ingrained gendered expectations and empowered me to envision a future where traditional roles did not solely define my worth. It is, hence, across the occurrence of limited societal expectations that gender stereotypes must be challenged and gender equality advocated. Thus, I will live to cherish and resolve to ensure a future where all, regardless of the limitations placed upon them, especially the female gender, realize their passion and aspirations.
DiTomaso, N., & Johnson, C. P. (2021). Pathways to Gender Equity in Leadership: More Than a Seat at the Table. Rutgers Business Review, 6(2).
Kay, K., & Shipman, C. (2014). The confidence gap. The Atlantic, 14(1), 1-18.
Patrick, V. (2021). Getting to gutsy: Using personal policies to enhance (and reclaim) agency in the workplace. Rutgers Business Review, 6(2).