Role models and gender
I grew up largely without male role models. My parents separated when I was four years old, and I barely saw my father until I was into my teenage years, and then almost exclusively in the pub, where he spent his waking hours. He had some qualities: a high regard for learning (though not formal education), a love of history and of art. As a father though, he was a failure. He taught me photography, and that is about all. I have two older brothers, seven and nine years my seniors. They did not constitute positive role models, one because he was abusive and the other because he was busy with his own problems related to the above. Whereas other boys might look to football stars, I did not. I hated team sports (and still do), and found it difficult to relate to others. Only in my late 30s did I realise I have some level of autism spectrum disorder. The first person I encountered who I can identify as a positive role model was my Scout leader. I was in the Scouts between the ages of eleven ...