Episode 21 of 24. A reading from the book Policies of Exclusion, Poverty & Health: Stories from 
the front. Compiled, with Introduction and Reports by Chrystal Ocean. Copyright 2005.

Vanessa’s background is one of wealth, with an emphasis on conservatism, religion and 
traditional "family values" and roles.(1)

Likely not surprising, Vanessa’s independent spirit and high intelligence almost immediately 
placed her at loggerheads with her family’s expectations and the norms of much of society still.

"When I thought about my future, one thing was clear: I didn’t want to grow up and serve some 
man. I didn’t want to get married… There was no freakin’ way in hell I was staying home ’til 5 
o’clock and making sure someone’s dinner was warm. I didn’t want to be a servant. I worried 
and fretted about this. I did not want to be a wife; that’s what it boiled down to. I could accept 
the notion of fatherhood, but not husband…

"Then, when I did grow up, that’s what I became. For years. That’s the biggest thing that bothers 
me about society: It beats your spirit out of you."

(1) Which prompts me to wonder whether the pressures to maintain traditional gender roles 
might not be even greater among the very wealthy. E.g., the wives of the very wealthy need not 
work to maintain the their or their family's lifestyle.

Ocean
--
Book: Policies of Exclusion, Poverty & Health: Stories from the front
Podcast Channel: http://bcseawalker.podbean.com/
Blog: Challenging the Commonplace - and other irreverent activities
http://challengingthecommonplace.blogspot.com/

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