Gender Roles in "Black Elk Speaks"

While reading "Black Elk Speaks", I came across some attitudes about gender and the expected roles that boys and girls play to prepare them for life as an adult member of the tribe.  Boys played hunting games and did tests of physical strength and endurance.  They would put hot sunflower seeds on their wrists that would make sores on their skin.  Black Elk remembers, "but if we knocked them off or cried Owh!, we would be called women" (45).  Once boys grow up and fight in battles against the tribes enemies, they are reminded of the "helpless ones" back home who need their protection.

Women have a very different role.  Their job is to cook, raise and care for children, clean and help move camp, and make clothing and other essentials.  Parents would pray for the birth of a boy who would grow to be a brave man.  Baby girls were expected to become mothers and raise brave men to protect the tribe.

The reasons for these roles make sense.  Men are usually more physically strong and capable of combat.  Women bear children.  Unlike our society today where men and women both participate in work and household work, Black Elk's people have very organized and established gender roles.  This can be demeaning to people who want to do things associated with the opposite gender.  But it can also be helpful because everyone knows what is expected of them.  In our society this system wouldn't work because in general we really value our individuality, and gender roles are becoming less rigid.