Crossing Gender Norms

      For starters, I grew up in Olive Branch, MS with my parents and brother. We are a small and very close-knit family. My house was located in the countryside so we didn't have neighbors or friends close by to play with on a regular basis. For this reason, my brother and I grew very close. Although I don't remember details or certain incidents, my parents tell me all sorts of stories from when I was a kid. I didn't own any Barbies, dolls, or other "girl" toys when I was a child. Instead, I played with dinosaurs and hot wheels and action figures with my brother. This is not normally what young girls enjoy to play with. I wanted to be just like my brother for the longest. I would play with all of his toys and play games outside with him such as basketball, baseball, football, kickball, etc. Since I grew up playing backyard games, I was always with the boys and most of the time considered to be "one of the boys". I didn't dress girly. I wore shorts, t-shirts, tennis shoes, and a baseball cap and blended in just fine with the rest of them. Most of my friends were guys. Even today, 12 + years later I still have interests in "guy" activities. I'd much rather be active and  play a sport or watch ESPN than go shopping or get a manicure. 

      Although this example is from my childhood, it still represents a time when I crossed gender norms. This was unintentional because my parents always made my brother and I hang out together. They didn't buy me girl toys because I didn't enjoy them as much. At that age I had no understanding of gender norms or what was expected of me. My parents didn't force me to participate in activities that I didn't like and also my mom was a huge tom-boy when she was younger. Maybe it runs in the family!