discuss

1. Adichie explains, “The problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather than recognizing who we are” (34). How does she back that up? Is gender restrictive? How so? In what ways?

cite specific examples to support your answer.

After answering the question Respond to two students below

FS

In, We Should All Be Feminists author Chimamanda Adichie illustrates her perception of gender and the tole that gender stereotypes and expectations have on her life, and women as a whole. She describes the problems that arise due to gender, “the problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather than recognizing who we are” (Adichie 34). Adichie supports this statement throughout the book. In one instance she describes the reality of a young girl and boy, siblings, who are equally brilliant (Adichie 36). “When the boy is hungry, the parents say to the girl ‘Go and cook Indomie noodles for your brother.’ The girl does not like to cook Indomie noodles, but she is a girl and she has to” (Adichie 36). We have become familiar with this idea that a women’s role is strictly within the home, and it seems that no matter how hard we work to get rid of this narrative it is still very much present. Gender in many ways is restrictive, more so towards women than it is for men. Women are expected to put their dreams to the side and allow room for marriage, motherhood, and household tasks. In a way, it is shocking to society when women refuse marriage and motherhood, rather so following their dreams and becoming successful. Gender is like a bubble, and women are forced to fit into this bubble.

D-

Adichie explains, “The problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather than recognizing who we are” (34). How does she back that up? Is gender restrictive? How so? In what ways?

In Chimamanda Adichie's book, “We Should All be Feminists,” the author discusses the importance of recognizing that gender is restrictive. Adichie backs up the statement, “The problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather than recognizing who we are” (34) by using a series of examples where this occurred. For example, on pages 21-22 Adichie tells the story of a female worker who was scolded because her employer expected that, “ … she would bring a woman’s touch to her job, but she hadn't” (22). This in itself explains how a gender can be restrictive. Women are expected to act a certain way and follow a certain set of rules simply because they are women. They are expected to cook, clean, stay home, and not take jobs, especially those with a high power role. Men, on the other hand, are expected and able to do as they please, work as they please, and neglect household responsibilities as this is what they expect of their wives.