With the changing of time is the evolution of gender-creative parenting 

There is a great sense of liberation in being a woman in this era, and I consider myself lucky to have the individualism I enjoy to be able to pave my own way. For this, I have my parents to thank, my mom for setting the example and my dad for diverting from what he was used to.

Growing up, I had my share of little experiences regarding the inequalities between what’s classified as “feminine” and “masculine.” Significantly, I remember an incident when I decided to join my school’s football team when I was in second grade after deciding to quit ballet after having done it for three years. My grandparents asked my dad if he was sure about allowing me to do so, as they believed it was a “boy’s sport.” On top of this, they weren’t exactly ecstatic about the idea of me being under the sun for many hours a week, as it was going to make me dark and, thus, “unattractive.” It just wasn’t so lady-like, I suppose. Thankfully, my dad didn’t get swayed into rethinking his decision, and I continued playing the sport up until high school.

I am grateful that my dad eventually came to terms with the fact that he was raising kids in a whole different generation and veered away from these standards. Instead of strictly imposing principles and social expectations, he decided it was more important to understand us.

To give you some perspective, my dad’s parents come from what we know as “The Silent Generation,” the generation that preceded the Boomers. This generation was known to abide by the rules and status quos, thriving in silence because this was the best way for them to make it successfully through life. In short, they lived by conservative ideologies and strictly adhered to traditional gender roles. They raised their children in this manner, and thus expected the same from them when they were to have offspring of their own.

I am grateful that my dad eventually came to terms with the fact that he was raising kids in a whole different generation and veered away from these standards. Instead of strictly imposing principles and social expectations, he decided it was more important to understand us. Perhaps, he realized that comfort and openness in parenting are far more fundamental in raising a child than authority, and so he became a friend. I noticed that, especially in the latter part of my teenage years, my dad was completely devoid of preconceived notions on how children were supposed to be raised depending on their gender. In a society that aims to prioritize human rights and equality, he continued to raise his two daughters and his son equally.

It’s the little things I appreciate about my dad when it comes to how he and I bond with each other. We enjoy drinking beer and playing golf together. We talk about the stock market (the little I know about it) and current events. He encourages me to get into business, to put my smarts to good use, and to one day be the CEO of my own company. He constantly reminds me that certain experiences and credentials aren’t tailored exclusively to, well, men. If I want to accomplish something, I should go for it and work to the fullest of my abilities to succeed.

Over the years, I’ve noticed this way of thinking among a lot of fathers of this generation. No longer is there a thick line between roles and expectations determined by the gender of their children. A prominent shift has occurred in fathering during this age of feminism and women’s empowerment. Dads, now more than ever, raise their daughters to be athletes, professionals, and career women. They form close bonds with us and refrain from imposing on what we should or should not be wearing, what we should or should not be doing, and what we should or should not be. Our generation of forward-thinking, go-getting females makes it as far as we do because of the support system we have solidifying our every step.