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Jim Carmichael's avatar

Good discussion. I had a breakdown over my masculinity issues as a freshman at American University in 1966. I studied gender perceptions and roles during my entire academic career. Nothing much has changed, but the problems are more severe, largely I think due to structural factors—capitalism, corporatism, and celebrity culture, plus the AI factors involved. As you say, there is no there there. I often think about my grandparents, born in the 1880s, who were farmers and to whom these problems would have been baffling. Everyone was pitching in. Gender roles? What is that? They had a Depression to live though. They were tougher, of course.

Mention of Mister Rogers made my heart sing.

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Carolyn M Nomura's avatar

While it's true everyone works in farming families, gender roles are not equal. Women are largely responsible for housework, child care, food prep, while men generally do the muscle work full time. The partnership was/is pretty much equal though in value.

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Jim Carmichael's avatar

Yes, in value! But still, some pretty hard work for women.

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Barbara Grinell's avatar

Good discussion. I proud of you.

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