The Gendered Lens
There I was busy awaiting my turn at the vegetable vendor and I met a friend and soon were talking about the upcoming school holidays and about our plans to keep our children engaged during the holidays as we were working mothers. All of a sudden a woman in her mid 50s (I prefer to call her Aunty) intervened with a statement saying "That is why, all mothers should take the job of a teacher". Looking at our puzzled expression, she continued "That way you will get leave the same time as your children". I stared nonplussed at her. My friend shrugged her shoulders and gave me a look that said "I don't know what she means by that, but let it go!" I being me, could not let it go, I simply reverted saying "Then what do we tell our daughters who want to study medicine or engineering or business administration that hey you can study all you want but if you want a family it is best that you don't pursue your professional interests but rather be a ...
