Through my observation over the past two months gender role tasks in the orphanage seem shared amongst the children. I've seen both boys and girls cultivate the beautiful garden, setting/clearing tables, washing dishes and mopping floors. I think teamwork is very present in the orphanage. I really admire the example the staff has set in this regard.

However, the gender roles amongst the staff is very evident. Most of the caretakers for these children are women, with the exception of the director and two other men. All the kitchen staff are women. These roles clearly reinforce the stereotypical role of women with respect to child care and cooking.  

Today at "work", Lindsay and I did a second round of baking. The first time we chose two younger girls to bake cupcakes with us. Today, we chose two older girls to bake cookies with us. While we were baking today an older boy, popped his head in the kitchen and said "i want to do that". LOL. We laughed and said "for sure next time" But when you think about it, why did we not think to pick some boys to bake with us this time? I was clearly reinforcing the gender role of women of being "domestic" without being aware of doing it until this point.

However, an instance outside of my work experience when I feel I am anti-domestic is when our guy friends come over and tell me they are hungry/thirsty. My response is usually" look I don't cook/ go help your self". LOL. The odd time I will offer/make something. I know it may be pretty rude but seriously before this internship I never cooked at home. Even the cooking I do here is pretty minimal. It is usually half home-made and half freezer/pre made. Now that's me telling guys here how it really is.

I find it interesting that in the workplace I feel I reinforce gender roles for women as being domestic but when I am at my "home" in Alytus I reinforce anti-gender roles with my Lithuanian friends.

What makes us pick and chose what we do in certain settings, especially for me as a woman? Why are my values different in the workplace but suddenly seem to change the minute I step foot through my front door?

Hmm. ...I think it maybe because in the workplace, I feel I am being judged by others in a society that is very tradational as how a woman should act with respect to care taking and cooking, where as in my own house no one can/should ever be telling me what to do/make. :)