Kate and I went to an event at the Student Union on Sunday. We entered through the “game room” area - billiards, bowling alley, darts, air hockey, foosball, video games, and sports on tv.
Me: I don’t think you’ve been in this building before! - This is a place where students can come to play games at college! (Subtext: Look how fun school is! Look how cool my workplace is! Bowling alley and tvs!)
Kate: Can girls play, too?
(YIKES! I look around — there are two male students playing video games with male characters. There is a guy playing pool, and another guy who is bowling. There are at least 8 tvs, and each one is playing an action movie or sporting event that is all male.)
Me: That’s a great question. It doesn’t look like it, does it? Would you want to play here?
Kate: (Looking at the bank of tv's) I don’t like scary movies.
I know this isn't news, but it is so crazy to me to watch Kate determine where she does and doesn't belong. In the past week she has also asked if girls can play baseball and if girls can be weathermen.
She then learned that weathermen don't get to choose the weather, so that became less appealing an option.
