Colin wrote:
> We were told what to think because we were too bad and stupid to have any
ideas
> of our own. God or people would kill us if we were not polite and
obedeient. We
> would get sent away if we were naughty.(I was stupidly terrified of being
sent
> away! Would have been the ebst thing....). i f we dared to have our own
> thoughts, we were possesd by demons. Doubts was put there by the devil.
> Questioning anything was wrong and evil and likely to be met with a fisyt
or
> land yoyu in hell when dead. A very reall fear at the time.
>
> Freedom to think what one thinks and live how one lives and be who one is,
is
> wonderfull!!
Wow, Colin's post really made me think about how fortunate I've been. My
parents never labelled us with stereotypes, or expected us to do certain
things in accordance with our gender. I grew up doing whatever I felt like
doing - not in everything (obviously) but for example:
I learnt all about the internal combustion engine when I was 9 - I asked my
father how the car worked, so he took me outside, and explained all the
engine parts, and how they work. Something I remember to this day, and it
makes it much easier to talk to mechanics about my car, and even to perform
basic repairs and maintenance myself. I can't believe some women (and men!)
don't even know how to change a tyre.
I helped Dad build our boat in the garage - a fifteen-foot plywood runabout.
I was given a pair of overalls, and put to work sanding, painting, etc. I
love doing this kind of work, and it's something I still love. I made
myself a bed-side lamp when I was at University, from scraps I found in the
garage. I've put a roof over the entrance-way to a house I had years ago.
I've completely refinished a china cabinet. I've made myself a coffee
table/chest. I've been "commissioned" (by my sister) to make two large
ottomans. My next project will be a dining table and chairs.
I learnt to knit and sew at an early age, and so did my brother - he made
most of his clothes when he was at University, and saved a considerable
amount of money in the process.
All the kids learnt how to cook proper meals - boys and girls.
Of course this lack of stereotyping had it's downside. I was expected to
take my turn at mowing the lawns, and taking out the rubbish (just like the
boys), and they in turn, had to help with the dishes, and the food
preparation.
But I don't regret a second of it!
Hell
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