Gender Equality, what?!
Ariel Harris wrote a post recently about gender inequality when she was growing up. I can totally relate. My parents were raising my brothers and I in the 50's and 60's. We were before the enlightened age. I came of age in the early 70's so it was a time of changes. I loved it. But the truth is I grew up with the Leave It To Beaver ideals of the perfect housewife and mother, the successful businessman husband, perfect two children, with a nice house with a white picket fence in a nice neighborhood in a nice little town.
Well, as time went on I married, had two beautiful girls, got divorced, supported myself and my girls, got remarried and had another girl, got divorced again. Then I had a boy out of wedlock and refused to marry the father. (I know, shock and double shock!) Then I remarried for a third time (no kids this time), lost my second daughter at the age of 17 in a car accident, got divorced again amid trauma. (I'm beginning to see a pattern here.) Raised my youngest daughter and my son on my own and supported them on my own. Was single for over 16 years and met another man. We are what my generation called "living together in sin" and the my kids call "in a domestic partnership". Whatever. We are happy and have no plans to marry at this time. In the future? Maybe. We'll wait and see.
I raised all my children to be independent. They didn't have gender specific chores or expectations. I just wanted them to be happy and sure of two things. One, to believe in the power of themselves. To have self-worth and confidence that they could achieve anything they chose to go for. And, two, I would always be behind them and love them no matter what. They grew up hearing, "You can do anything you put your mind to". No gender designations.
Today, I am proud to say, my children have grown into responsible, well balanced, productive adults. None has ever been in trouble with the law or involved with drugs. They are definitely independent, each of them. Sometimes too much so for my comfort, as they don't call or come around as much as I would like them to. (And they all live within 15 minutes of me.)
So, no white picket fence. I've lost the house to divorce three times and started over, with children in tow. No storybook endings. I did not live the life my mother and father envisioned for me, but that is okay. I have lived my life, made my mistakes and moved on.
That brings me to Wealthy Affiliate. Due to being placed on disability in 2009 I have had a very limited and drastically reduced income to live on up to now. I rely heavily on my partner to provide a house and necessities. It is a very uncomfortable position that I find myself in. So the desire for more income arose and with it the necessity to work from home, preferably using my computer.
Like many of you, I tried a few other "promising" avenues, only to be disappointed and end up with a drained bank account. Then I found WA. I am thrilled to say that I believe this is where I will leave my mark on the world of online business.
My first website is up and getting traffic. I expect to see my first sale at any moment. I have two other websites in various steps of creation. I have untold support from a great community of entrepeneurs that I respect highly. I am once again independently pursuing my dreams. (With the support of my partner.) I am feeling good about myself again. I like it.
Life is moving on. It's a good time.
What about you? I would like to know about how you actully found yourself at this point in time. You don't have to bare your soul as much as I have, But, maybe it will inspire your next blog/post. Leave a comment please.
Always,
Candice
Recent Comments
2
I just have gotten tired of living paycheck to paycheck and I can't work outside the house because my husband is disabled and I don't want to mess that up in a way because that is all we have until I start making money and hopefully soon.
Life has never been easy Candice, is all I say todoay!
Some testing times there to - well done!
Great post!
Wayne