atypical, unboxable

I wondered about this when this semester first started. For my med/surg I class, we must all, whether we like it or not, use the WebCT computer system to download the handouts and check our test grades. We were all asked to introduce ourselves in the online class. The instructor went first. She described first how she'd been in nursing for 20 years, worked at our school about 7, her area (critical care), and then explained she started with an RN but then went on to get her MSN, Master's of Science in Nursing. The very last thing she mentioned was that she was married and had 2 grown kids.

About 40 more students responded with introductions. With only a few exceptions (myself and one male student included), the other 35+ students (all female) first mentioned their marital status (married) and second mentioned their motherhood status (number of kids, the kids'/kid's age(s), etc.). I found myself thinking, Is that how I'm supposed to be defining myself? By the fact that I have (or don't have) a man, a husband, and/or some kids?

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