About Sales Director
Jenn Price does not proclaim to be an expert on dating…but her years of practice (and willingness to share stories) will certainly get people talking. Join in the dialogue each week as Jenn tackles matters of the heart.
Gender Roles
price of love canada
(Sep.28.10)
I love my career. I love that I’ve been educated and that I have the ability to make a living for myself and provide the kind of lifestyle I want. My parents always told me to focus on my education and my career first, and then love will come into my life once I’m established.
One of the things I’ve loved most about my career is that I’ve been able to build a team and be a mentor to some amazing young women. In many ways, this evolution has satisfied my maternal instincts (which in my early twenties were so strong I volunteered at a daycare and almost became an elementary school teacher).
Yet, I can’t take those work experiences home and snuggle with them on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon. As fulfilling as professional life can be, there’s a huge part of me that longs to build and nurture a family. I know that I love cooking and making a comfortable home environment. Cooking for two (or more) is so much more rewarding than for one. All my chores actually become enjoyable when I know I’m doing them for a greater good.
My mother once said to me that (in general) a woman’s sense of purpose comes from her ability to nurture. Some of the most powerful women I know are sensitive nurturers underneath it all.
She also told me that a man’s identity is generally tied to his work. Until he is established enough (at least in his opinion), he will not be fully present in a relationship (or not to the degree he wants to be). I think that's partially true, but is a whole different topic.
Looking at the latest season of (yes, another reality TV show) The Apprentice, which features unknown contestants who are casualties of the recession, some of the male contestants have described some especially hard blows to their personal lives. One contestant summed it up by saying, “if I can’t make a living for my family, what good am I?” I hate to admit it, but this is a normal idea bred by North American culture. (Again, another topic — or two.)
There are many avenues I could explore with the gender role topic (and that’s just with heterosexual couples!). My personal bottom line is that I feel blessed to have the best of (what I consider to be) both worlds. And every now and then, I remember that not too long ago, my options would have been much more limited.
What’s your take on roles and relationships?
Photo credit: Carin Baer/AMC