I’ve started and stopped writing this article many times over the past few months. It’s a topic that can’t be done justice in a short opinion piece, but it’s important enough for me to try.

Recently, I’ve watched a shift in the conversation about gender roles. The boss-babe, ‘Lean In’, ‘A-Man-Is-Not-A-Plan’ narrative has shifted. Now, we’re hearing about trad-wives, and women who want a ‘soft life’, provided by a 6′5, blue-eyed, man-in-finance.

If you’re a young woman, and you hope to set yourself up for the best options later on in life – get serious about building financial capital as soon as possible.Credit: Simon Letch

Some women claim this is a return to ‘freedom’, suggesting that working a job is the real trap. Others suggest this is a dangerous line of thinking that takes women back decades.

Which is it? Personally, I think there’s validity to both sides.

I grew up with front-row seats to both sides of this conversation. For much of my childhood, my mum pursued a career, alongside juggling the responsibilities of family life. Then, my younger brother was born. My mum became a full-time stay at home mum.

The goal isn’t to be, do and have what a man has. Someone else’s life (man or woman) isn’t ‘the gold standard’ you need to replicate.

I got to........

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