Christina’s family has different expectations for her and for her brothers. Is this something you recognize in your own family?

Christina’s family has different expectations for her and for her brothers. Is this something you recognize in your own family?

Nope--my sister and I were Dad's gophers when he worked on the car or the house. We were expected to excel in school and were told we could be anything we wanted to be. There was nothing off limits because we were girls--well, except going into the service in the '60's, even with a college degree.

I don't have brothers. I think they would have expected more from a son. I was allowed to go to college and prepare for a career but I didn't have to. If I had been a son they would have expected me to have a career. I think they wanted me to be prepared to support myself in case I didn't marry or got divorced or widowed. At the time their attitude wasn't unusual.

Yes. I have a brother and growing up there were different expectations placed on us. I was tasked with housework, laundry, helping prepare meals, etc. my brother got to do the other stuff. I understand I was being prepared to run my own household. We both later graduated from college, having good careers, and changing those early expectations.

My brothers had more freedom to do as they wished, although they had to help on the farm. It was expected that one of my two brothers would take over the farm. We sisters were to help in the house, cook, garden, etc. It was a very gender-specific upbringing. However, we sisters were encouraged to get an education. My mother always regretted not being able to go to college, so she wanted us to go.

Yes, my parents were from the time when boys were the providers and girls were the mothers and housewives. We both went to college, but I was never encouraged in my career dreams. I needed to meet a man and get married so I could have children. Boy, am I glad that I raised a daughter to have a career and be independent!

No but given the time period this book is set it's not surprising. Nowadays women are taught to be self reliant & independent. That wasn't really an option in the early-mid 1900's.

I did see different expectations between my brother and me growing up - I was expected to do more household chores, and my brother ended up doing very little! And he enjoyed the run of the neighborhood whereas I don’t recall my sister and I having that much freedom. But maybe it was a difference in personalities.

Like katherinep and karenrn I grew up with only sisters. Our chores included housework, lawn care, and car care. We were encouraged to go to college and my parents helped me get my bachelor's degree.