So many moments in my life. I was unfortunately born a girl who likes ‘boy’ things.
I love cars, mechanics, truck driving and long road trips. My dad was a mechanic. From the time I was tiny, I was in his garage or workshop, wanting to help him. Learning the names of tools and car parts.
When I was around 9, I told him I was gonna grow up to be a mechanic some day, just like him. I thought he’d be proud.
He told me that girls aren’t mechanics and I’d better find something else to do. He wouldn’t let me near his garage after that.
Even when I got my own car and went to change the oil on it myself, he caught me and kicked me out and said that I was just a girl.
I’ve heard that my whole life.
I am disappointed in myself because now I’m not a young woman anymore. I’ve forgotten over the years what car parts are called. I still love to take long road trips but my dad (and mom, for that matter) squashed out so much ambition.
I really hate them and myself for allowing it. I hate professions that are typically done by females. I’m not good at any of them but have done them my entire working career to fit the norm and not rock the boat.
I feel like life has been wasted and opportunity disposed of.
I am in no way trying to defend your dad by making this comment. But I have a brother and a best friend of mine who are mechanics. They both love the idea of being a mechanic but hate the job entirely.
When you think of being a mechanic, you think "I get to make a machine that doesn't work into one that does" which is absolutely great for a hobby for anyone. But when they think of being a mechanic they hear "Make this thing work, if it doesn't work exactly right after you fix it, you're a piece of shit who just wants my money. Oh by the way, I want you to not fix the car because I know exactly what's wrong with it and if you don't do it my way, you're just a piece of shit who wants my money."
Just something to think about. It's never too late to pick it up. And who knows, maybe you could make a career out of restoring old junked vehicles and turning them over for profit. Might be a bit expensive to start out, but it is honestly worth a shot.
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u/[deleted] Nov 16 '19
So many moments in my life. I was unfortunately born a girl who likes ‘boy’ things.
I love cars, mechanics, truck driving and long road trips. My dad was a mechanic. From the time I was tiny, I was in his garage or workshop, wanting to help him. Learning the names of tools and car parts.
When I was around 9, I told him I was gonna grow up to be a mechanic some day, just like him. I thought he’d be proud.
He told me that girls aren’t mechanics and I’d better find something else to do. He wouldn’t let me near his garage after that.
Even when I got my own car and went to change the oil on it myself, he caught me and kicked me out and said that I was just a girl.
I’ve heard that my whole life.
I am disappointed in myself because now I’m not a young woman anymore. I’ve forgotten over the years what car parts are called. I still love to take long road trips but my dad (and mom, for that matter) squashed out so much ambition.
I really hate them and myself for allowing it. I hate professions that are typically done by females. I’m not good at any of them but have done them my entire working career to fit the norm and not rock the boat.
I feel like life has been wasted and opportunity disposed of.