As I examined the question of how my life would be different if I were of the opposite sex, I reflected on the treatment of boys and girls at a young age. I began to wonder how it affects key elements of their personality and the importance of the expectations others place on their lives. Often a child is forced to conform to ideals of femininity and these pressures continue into their professional and personal lives as adults. Additionally, I will exemplify how a woman who achieves success in a predominantly male field earns recognition disproportionately compared to that of her male counterpart. There are many factors that determine whether my life would be different or the same and I will give examples through everyday situations. In “Being a Man,” by Paul Theroux, the writer notes the way mothers encourage their young daughters to be flirtatious and seek approval of their appearance to please adults (45). By broadening their observation, kids are encouraged to show what they can do physically by getting outside and getting dirty and exploring their surroundings without coming into contact with them....