To be clear, I am a cisgender male. My parents have four sons, including me. At the dinner table last night my aunt, who is visiting from out of state, said that she remembered when my parents got married they said they were only going to have two kids. My dad said they kept trying for that girl that never came. He then said, to my complete bewilderment, “but at least we have OP. He’s the daughter we never had.”
My uncle and my younger brothers thought this was hilarious. I was really offended. I said as much, and my mom and aunt both said I was being too sensitive. My aunt said I’m just like my mom was when she was my age. I asked how so. They said I like to cook and am very tidy and always help out with my younger siblings. I said that’s just being a responsible adult. That’s not a gender thing.
My dad said I never liked sports. I feel like these are all really reductive sexist points. My uncle rolled his eyes and said that’s the problem with my generation. My brothers got in on it and said “yeah, don’t be so sensitive.” I felt like I was losing my mind and everyone was ganging up on me. My aunt tried to turn it around on me and say I was being sexist for being offended by being called feminine. I’m not saying men are better than women. It’s just that I am a man, not a woman.
Eventually they got bored and started talking about other things, but the mood was ruined. My mom told me multiple times to quit sulking. I’m really upset, because my mom always relies on me to help her around the house, and I always thought I was just being a good older sibling, but apparently I’m the girl of the family. That’s not fair. Am I the asshole for not wanting to be the daughter they didn’t have? I think the whole situation is bullshit.
