I agree that expectations are laid on people. I think the pressures on the young (remember, to me anyone under 30 is "young") are incredibly burdensome. Mothers insist their kids get straight As, no exceptions. Kids are put into accelerated classes whether they want them or not. Many hear nothing but "career, money, success" over and over from their parents. If the kids want to do something unusual that doesn't pay well, the parents go nuts. The kids sometimes don't even get to pick their colleges based on what's a good fit; it's just what's "prestigious," and so on.
And I'm talking about the girls.
Obviously expectations like "You're a girl; you can't study engineering" are burdensome. But so is, "You're a girl, take AP physics instead of home ec because it's better for 'success.'" The movie "Mona Lisa Smile" dealt with that whole question in an interesting way.
To me, the whole point is to raise and support people who can find out what it is they want, what they like, what will make them happy in all regards (culture, work, sex, etc.) Even if that means they do the "unexpected."
no subject
And I'm talking about the girls.
Obviously expectations like "You're a girl; you can't study engineering" are burdensome. But so is, "You're a girl, take AP physics instead of home ec because it's better for 'success.'" The movie "Mona Lisa Smile" dealt with that whole question in an interesting way.
To me, the whole point is to raise and support people who can find out what it is they want, what they like, what will make them happy in all regards (culture, work, sex, etc.) Even if that means they do the "unexpected."