Vehicle plows into crowd on Bourbon St., with 14 fatalities

Gender expectations remain deeply conservative in American culture, and with the current political trends, these traditional norms may become even more entrenched.

I am a woman who has been married for almost 40 years. For the past 15 years, I have been the primary breadwinner in our household, building a career while my husband, an artist specializing in painting and sculpture, has managed the household. This dynamic, while still somewhat unconventional in the U.S., is far more common where I live, where nearly 30% of company CEOs are women. Many of my colleagues, including men, take up to a year of paid parental leave when their children are born—a practice encouraged by most companies as it benefits both employees and workplace culture.

Society is evolving, even in the U.S., and more women are pursuing careers on par with their male counterparts. However, for true progress, both men and women must give each other space to grow and accept one another for who they are. A successful relationship requires mutual effort, shared responsibilities, and—most importantly—active communication.

Listening is essential, and while women are often seen as natural communicators, we are not always as skilled at truly hearing our partners. Both genders need to prioritize this skill, as understanding and supporting one another is key to building strong, lasting relationships.