My brothers were very good at reinforcing gender roles. The whole girls-versus-boys battles were endless. I recall being about 5 and declaring that I would be president someday, and my older brother mocking me for it, "they're going to call you Mister President. How are you today, Mister President?" until I dissolved into tears.

And really, there's nothing like comparing the gifts you get with your brother. When we were teenagers, my uncle gave my brother an electric razor, you know, something that was actually useful. Me? I got eye-shadow. And I wore as much make-up then as I do now.