Speaking of gender and development, it reminds me of this amusing exchange I had a while back, which I have paraphrased, changed some details for the sake of privacy, edited slightly for entertainment purposes, and translated from the combination of hand gestures and broken Azerbaijani and English in which it actually transpired.
One day, while I was guesting and talking to the kids in the family, one of the daughters mentioned that she had just been out of town with some friends. It turns out that her parents had let her go by herself (progressive!) to a co-ed (even more progressive!) retreat near Qəbələ for the weekend (overnight?? say what?!).
INT. LIVING/DINING ROOM, AZERBAIJAN - DAYTIME
ME
What was the retreat about?
HER
The role of women and men.
ME
(impressed and curious)
What did you learn about?
HER
Equality and laws.
MY BRAIN
[This is one progressive family...]
ME
Did you like learning about that?
HER
Yes. I -
HER BROTHER
Ay, sister, bring me tea.
Based on his ruddy complexion, age-appropriate height-weight ratio, and body mass index, the brother appears to be in robust health and have all the necessary basic motor skills to accomplish such a task on his own...
Sister goes to kitchen, brings tea to her brother.
MY BRAIN
[Le sigh.]
sigh indeed. but same same but different here, right?
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Yes, it's a difference in degree, not kind.
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