Gender.

 

Not sure when it happened certain it was in my teens, became very aware of the fact that most of those around myself were comfortable with our gender. Which meant that the focus on washing the spots, cooking a meal, ironing, babysitting younger siblings, they were roles fulfilled. Taking interest in the kitchen was a position expected myself to fulfill. The eldest male in large working class Northern town .

I knew this was my role, knew this was comfortable.Traveling into Informal education via the Boxing game then Church based youth work. Exposed to girls football teams and Female leaders in the Church.

For myself there wasn’t a gender role or understanding to be learnt.

My professional path educated myself with much more clarity. Macho environment of Sporting game, the hardest game, Boxing. Home life, relationships, Church, gym, informal youth work all processing a context that showed myself Women were my equal and there wasn’t  gender role we could not achieve gender wasn’t an issue.

Contextually it was a working out .Youth work, trade l learnt was full of my Equals some of the  opposite gender also managed me plus my colleagues, in discussions they shared, encouraged, further supported this sojourner. Somehow others not exposed to this.

Was I just one of the lucky ones ?