14 Old-School Rules Society Still Pressures Women to Follow
We often like to think that women have achieved full equality in today’s world, but the reality is that gender norms still quietly shape many of our choices. From how we’re raised to what we see in our families and communities, these unwritten rules can leave us feeling like certain responsibilities are “just what women do.” Sometimes, we don’t even realize that we think about these stereotypical norms until we sit down to really consider why we do certain things. By recognizing what drives our actions, we can better decide if those choices and actions truly align with who we are or if they might lead to regrets down the road.
House Chores
Luckily, we can now see men in advertisements cleaning their houses; however, years and years of mental conditioning cannot be erased so quickly. Are you the one who tends to take care of all house chores? No, your husband’s job should not only be taking out the trash once a week! If you think you are doing way more than he is, it’s time to face the issue.
Having Kids
All women are somehow expected to want to have kids. If you decide this lifestyle is not for you, get ready for everyone to undermine your opinion with a “You will surely change your mind!” Unfortunately, this can sometimes make women feel the pressure to have kids even when they are not truly convinced about it. Assuming all women in society want to have children can be extremely damaging and emotionally harmful for those who cannot have kids for medical reasons.
Taking Care of the Kids
Women who decide to have kids are also expected to take care of them most of the time. This involves letting go of their careers if necessary, enrolling them in the best school in the area, taking them to their afternoon activities, and so on. Contrarily, men are often expected to head to work and may be judged for their decision to stay home with their kids and let their wives take care of finances.
Being Always Polite
Women are also often thought to be always polite, never raise their voices, and silence their opinions, especially when polarizing. While this has some positives – everyone should try to be polite! – there is a huge difference between choosing kindness and living your life passively while silencing all your opinions to avoid starting a heated debate.
Suppressing Sensual Desires
We have such a different opinion of men enjoying their sensuality with lots of people versus women doing the same. The truth? There is no difference whatsoever! Women should never suppress their desires and should be able to go out with whomever they want whenever they want! They should also be able to talk openly to their partner about what they enjoy and do not enjoy in bed without fear of being judged for their preferences.
Always Being ‘Presentable’
Being presentable barely ever crosses a man’s mind. They can wear the same shirt for all sorts of occasions. Graduations, weddings, even funerals! Of course, this is not the same for women. We often need plenty of dresses, each of which can only be worn for a specific occasion. This can be extremely tiring as getting ready for events often requires hours of work, unlike men who can be ready in just a few minutes.
Settle Down
Especially women are expected to settle down once they reach their 30s. The pressure is often stronger than the one men face for biological reasons. While men can have kids almost at all ages, women often have a hard time conceiving a baby once they reach the age of 35, even though some can still easily have kids naturally at this age. This, however, can cause lots of pressure on plenty of women who have no desire to find a partner, buy a house, or have kids.
Always Being Empathic
Women are often described as being more caring and empathic towards others. While this may be true, nobody should ever feel forced to listen to people complain and empathize with them. Of course, nothing is wrong with this, yet you are not a therapist, and it is not your job to fix everyone’s problem. Always put your mental health first. Remember, self-care is never selfish.
Silencing Their Polarizing Opinions
How many women tend to make their voices heard when surrounded by a group of men who think otherwise? Unfortunately, not many. This is because we know our opinions will not be taken seriously. As a result, we simply shut up. In these situations, it’s crucial for men to value everyone’s opinion and consider all perspectives and points of view regardless of who is speaking.
Let Go Of Financial Independence
We’ve all heard the joke that women just need a rich man and will never have to work a day in their life. While men are pushed to work hard to get hired by a massive company paying them a good salary, women are thought to attract men who have chosen such a life path. This is highly problematic as women opting for this path are financially relying on someone else to whom they depend entirely, making it extra difficult for them to leave in case of abuse.
Giving Up Their Career To Focus On Motherhood
So often, we expect mothers to give up on their careers, at least partly so, to care for their children. But what about fathers? Why aren’t they staying at home and letting go of that promotion? Whether or not you want to give up your job or make certain sacrifices is entirely up to you, and you should never feel obliged to do so simply because you are a woman. There is nothing wrong with hiring a babysitter!
Avoiding Traditionally Masculine Hobbies
Women are also expected to be feminine at all times and never embrace traditionally masculine hobbies. If you ever played baseball or soccer, your relatives or classmates probably questioned your femininity. The same can be said for men who embrace feminine hobbies, such as ballet or other fashion choices. While we are now working to create a society in which gender norms are no longer relevant, we still have plenty to do!
Do All The Cooking
Cooking is often stereotyped as a woman’s job, reinforced by decades of societal norms and media portrayals. Many families still expect women to take charge of meal planning, grocery shopping, and preparing meals, even when they have equally demanding jobs outside the home. While cooking can be a joy for some, the expectation that it’s solely a woman’s responsibility can be completely unfair. Shared kitchen duties not only lightens the load but also foster a sense of partnership and equality.
Maintain The Positive Family Dynamics
Women are often seen as the “emotional glue” of the family, responsible for keeping everyone connected, resolving conflicts, and fostering harmony. From remembering birthdays to organizing family gatherings, these emotional labor tasks are frequently expected without recognition. While maintaining family dynamics is important, it shouldn’t fall entirely on one person. Sharing this responsibility allows everyone to contribute to a supportive and loving environment, reducing unnecessary stress on women.
