My mom and I were in the kitchen arguing about the same old thing: University.
She thinks I don’t need to study so hard, just find a rich guy will do
“Mom, I really want to go to university and get a degree. I’m not going to just find a rich guy and marry him,” I said exasperatedly.
My mother rolled her eyes, “Why not? You don’t need to study so hard. You can just marry someone and be taken care of.”
I stared at her in disbelief. I had worked so hard in Poly to get good grades and get accepted into a top university, and all she wanted me to do was find a rich guy and marry him?
I couldn’t believe my mother would even suggest something like that. But then again, she had been raised to think that women’s only job was to marry a good man and take care of the house.
“I don’t want a free ride. I want to make something of myself and make something of my life,” I said firmly.
Stress that women only need to marry well
My mother sighed and shook her head. “You don’t understand, darling. You need to find someone who can take care of you and provide for you. That’s how it’s done in life. It’s not about what you can do for yourself, it’s about who can do more for you.”
I felt a wave of anger swell up inside me. How could she be so dismissive of my dreams? I wanted to make something of my life and prove to her that I could do it.
Agreed with her just to avoid arguing with her further
But I knew there was no point in arguing with her. She had her mind set on this, and I knew that nothing I could say would change it.
So I just nodded and said, “Okay, mom.”
I went to my room and shut the door behind me. I was so angry, but I knew there was nothing I could do. I was stuck in a world that didn’t value my dreams and only valued a woman’s worth based on who she married.
I felt so hopeless and helpless.
I lay in my bed and cried until I eventually fell asleep. I knew there was no point in trying anymore.
My mother had made it clear that she didn’t believe in me and that gave my self confidence a big hit.