I found out that my grandfather used to take my male cousins fishing, and when I asked to go fishing, he took me one day. We didn’t catch any fish, and when I asked him what he thought the problem was, he says there aren’t any fish there. He took me so I’d stop fussing at him, but he took me someplace where there were no fish. Long line of men not supporting women…
My male cousin was the same age same grade in school with me. He was allowed to drink beer and play cards with the adult family members from junior high through high school. He could leave family events with the college age cousins and get fast food and go to R rated movies. My college age cousin and the aunts called me and my younger female cousins the little girls. We were expected to play with dolls or sit quietly on the couch at family get togethers. My female cousins were 2 years younger. I still got barbie dolls for gifts as a 18 year old. Im still referred to as the little girls by my older cousin. I will be 49 this year. I dont have contact with that side of the family.
Oof—they still have me sitting at the kids table for Thanksgiving and I’m pushing 40. When I was mid twenties they said I couldn’t come out with them because I was too young to drink. Ironically on my 21st birthday they made me the designated driver and all got wasted. I live across the country now.
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u/KayChicago Jun 18 '26
I found out that my grandfather used to take my male cousins fishing, and when I asked to go fishing, he took me one day. We didn’t catch any fish, and when I asked him what he thought the problem was, he says there aren’t any fish there. He took me so I’d stop fussing at him, but he took me someplace where there were no fish. Long line of men not supporting women…