It seems that the idea of "gender stereotypes" is constantly circulating in the media, on campus, and even in conversations I have with friends.

Now it may be a little bit of the aspiring Carrie Bradshaw in me (yes, I am currently binge-watching) but it seems that where gender stereotypes constantly thrive is in the idea of romantic relationships. The men are expected to pay for dates while the ladies are supposed to look and act perfect in order to get a second date written on their calendars. In a society that focuses on breaking gender barriers and stereotypes, how does something as simple as relationships manage to fall through the cracks?

I could sit here and list all of the stereotypes that have emerged over the years, such as the requirement of a man to be taller than his date, the female need for a man's shoulder to cry on, or the necessity for a man to eat more than a woman at a meal. Being a young girl, this is what I once expected the life of dating to be like. However, as I grew older and actually experienced having a boyfriend, I quickly realized that these stereotypes are nothing but myths.

Sure, when I first got into a relationship, we both put up the stereotypical fronts that were expected of us. Me getting free meals, spending too much time trying to achieve appearance perfection, and appreciating having someone there to comfort me. While I enjoyed the perks of being a new girlfriend, I knew this facade would never last and guess what, I was right. I found myself starting to pay for meals, showing up in sweatpants, and being the comforter from time to time.

Where do these preconceived notions initiate and why do we continue to expect them? It all begins with media. It is understandable that people accept these stereotypes after seeing them in rom-coms and reading it in books and magazines. This constant flow of media results in unrealistic expectations and thus, a stereotype gets formed. Though many stereotypes stem from the truth, the ones that surround relationships have created a reality that only exists in the movies.

So yes, I like a man who enjoys "manly" things. However, I am happy to say that mine is the better cook and I am the one brave enough to kill the spiders.