Armenian woman identity/role

[Tali]

So, I have a couple questions regarding identities/roles.

I hear a lot about how I need to help "repopulate the Armenian numbers".
Question 1: how many kids are considered the ideal number?

I am what's known as the "accidental cook." I don't know how, but everything I make turns out good enough.
Question 2: what kind of meals are supposed to be "staples"? In other words, what kind of dishes should I know how to make?

I was raised very masculine by my parents. Though I can be pretty feminine when "appropriate".
Question 3: what is expected of wives in Armenian culture?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but I'm mostly curious. I'm sorry if I turn into your ideal wife - I'm spoken for

[myragnarok]

Re: Be One Like a Bunny Rabbit...

The title sounds sexual so I don't know what's up with that. But 3 kids should be ideal if your mission is to repopulate getting 2 spouses from 2 ppl, makes it only neutral, over 3 I wouldn't be able to help my wife and divorce her (jk). The wife doesn't need to worry about cooking alone, I believe the new generation both part members have to participate in cooking and cleaning so as long as we could learn 10 plates each from our parents the rest is experimental. What is expected is someone that is balanced between old traditions and new ideas; the level of this balance will be judged from relationship to relationship. And for the 1st question men shouldn't be too pushy just because it's not there vagina that is being ripped every single time a baby comes out

[Siggie]

Re: Armenian woman identity/role

1) Yes, If you want to increase the population, you need to try for 3 or more children.

2) I think there are so many regional differences that it's hard to answer this question. For example, what are considered staples for an Barsgahye will be different than those for a Lipanahye. I would say cook what your boyfriend/husband loves. Can't go wrong with that. There are several Armenian cookbooks that are widely available. Click here for Amazon search results If you're not too familiar with the cuisine (or even if you are), I think it would be fun to try out new dishes and this is a good way to get the recipes.

3) As for what's expected of women... that's SO broad. I think in the west and in Europe, gender roles have probably been relaxed a bit and have been influenced by western culture. I wasn't raised to be uber feminine either, but I think as long as you're respectful, warm, and a good/attentive hostess, you'll do fine.



Edited to add:

I couldn't resist and ended up ordering the third cookbook, The Cuisine of Armenia , from that list.

[Mos]

Re: Armenian woman identity/role

So, I have a couple questions regarding identities/roles.

I hear a lot about how I need to help "repopulate the Armenian numbers".
Question 1: how many kids are considered the ideal number?

I am what's known as the "accidental cook." I don't know how, but everything I make turns out good enough.
Question 2: what kind of meals are supposed to be "staples"? In other words, what kind of dishes should I know how to make?

I was raised very masculine by my parents. Though I can be pretty feminine when "appropriate".
Question 3: what is expected of wives in Armenian culture?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but I'm mostly curious. I'm sorry if I turn into your ideal wife - I'm spoken for

1. That's told to Armenian women. Armenian women need to repopulate the Armenian numbers. From the looks of it, you children will be American. It's very hard for two assimilated Americans to have Armenian children.

2. You need your husbands mother to teach you how to cook Armenian food.

3. Since you are foreigner, no one will expect you to be like an Armenian wife.

[Eddo211]

Re: Be One Like a Bunny Rabbit...

.... And for the 1st question men shouldn't be too pushy just because it's not there vagina that is being ripped every single time a baby comes out

Did you had to give us a visual.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Be One Like a Bunny Rabbit...

Did you had to give us a visual.

That surrogate mother thing doesn't sound like such a bad idea now that I think of it....

[Yedtarts]

Re: Armenian woman identity/role

1- The more, the merrier as long as you do the raising by yourself
2- If your husband to be is from Armenia, most definitely you should learn to marinate the “khorovadz” and in cold days prepare the “khash”. If he’s from Lebanon or Syria you should learn to marinate and prepare “Jigar kebab” and if he’s from Iran my guess would be to learn preparing the “kobob” or “kabob”
3- Firstly, you should be able to manually slice the “basturma” very thin. Secondly, make a good “sujuokh” with eggs, the rest is not that important. Armenian men would appreciate if you can develop a decent behind after few years in marriage too.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Armenian woman identity/role

I am what's known as the "accidental cook." I don't know how, but everything I make turns out good enough.
Question 2: what kind of meals are supposed to be "staples"? In other words, what kind of dishes should I know how to make?

For starters, here is a good list of some common dishes that Western Armenians are familiar with.... let me know if you need more

[Tali]

Re: Armenian woman identity/role

The title sounds sexual so I don't know what's up with that. But 3 kids should be ideal if your mission is to repopulate getting 2 spouses from 2 ppl, makes it only neutral, over 3 I wouldn't be able to help my wife and divorce her (jk). The wife doesn't need to worry about cooking alone, I believe the new generation both part members have to participate in cooking and cleaning so as long as we could learn 10 plates each from our parents the rest is experimental. What is expected is someone that is balanced between old traditions and new ideas; the level of this balance will be judged from relationship to relationship. And for the 1st question men shouldn't be too pushy just because it's not there vagina that is being ripped every single time a baby comes out

For starters, it was because I was being teased at by his relatives that since my family is particularly small, it was like walking into a mini-country with the number of relatives they have (and apparently, that wasn't even most of them...), so they told me if I can populate like a rabbit then i should be fine. We're currently thinking about having 4 children, economics-permitting. He actually knows how to cook some things. I'm just accidentally -experimentally- able to make good dishes. Not the greatest by any means, but you may want seconds. So far, none of my experiments have turned out bad. My family doesn't have "plates." I'm Mexican American - though it's more simpler to just say I'm more American Hmm... that balance is intriguing. I'll definitely have to think about that more... btw, not to mention the stretch marks! buggers!

1) Yes, If you want to increase the population, you need to try for 3 or more children.

2) I think there are so many regional differences that it's hard to answer this question. For example, what are considered staples for an Barsgahye will be different than those for a Lipanahye. I would say cook what your boyfriend/husband loves. Can't go wrong with that. There are several Armenian cookbooks that are widely available. Click here for Amazon search results If you're not too familiar with the cuisine (or even if you are), I think it would be fun to try out new dishes and this is a good way to get the recipes.

3) As for what's expected of women... that's SO broad. I think in the west and in Europe, gender roles have probably been relaxed a bit and have been influenced by western culture. I wasn't raised to be uber feminine either, but I think as long as you're respectful, warm, and a good/attentive hostess, you'll do fine.



Edited to add:

I couldn't resist and ended up ordering the third cookbook, The Cuisine of Armenia , from that list.

Hmmm... his family is so widespread I didn't bother to consider what region they're primarily from. I'll have to look into that. I'll consider buying that book, too. My only concern is that I won't be able to buy spices/veggies/meat that are not typically available in my area. There are no Armenians in my city. As for the hostess, so far I've been told that's been my brownie points for "warming" the family to stop calling me a "foreigner" and accept me more. I've been learning the language, willing to help in the kitchen and generally just being myself (in short: an inquisitive chatterbox). It seems to be working. I may have an identity crisis by the end of this I was raised to be male, actually. My father felt my brother was lacking then made it my responsibility to be a good homemaker and then also a good father/husband-figure (construction, repairs, demolition, etc). I was told to keep doing my 'research' and I should be okay with what's expected of females.

[Tali]

Re: Armenian woman identity/role

1. That's told to Armenian women. Armenian women need to repopulate the Armenian numbers. From the looks of it, you children will be American. It's very hard for two assimilated Americans to have Armenian children.

2. You need your husbands mother to teach you how to cook Armenian food.

3. Since you are foreigner, no one will expect you to be like an Armenian wife.

He's Armenian, I'm American. I was told that our children will be "Armenian," if I raise them with a good sense of pride for that and downplay my side some. She knows some dishes, but as I mentioned earlier, faces the same predicament I do: a lot of your native foods aren't available where I live. Since I am a foreigner, however, that puts more pressure on me from his family to be more like an Armenian wife but i'm glad you think otherwise

1- The more, the merrier as long as you do the raising by yourself
2- If your husband to be is from Armenia, most definitely you should learn to marinate the “khorovadz” and in cold days prepare the “khash”. If he’s from Lebanon or Syria you should learn to marinate and prepare “Jigar kebab” and if he’s from Iran my guess would be to learn preparing the “kobob” or “kabob”
3- Firstly, you should be able to manually slice the “basturma” very thin. Secondly, make a good “sujuokh” with eggs, the rest is not that important. Armenian men would appreciate if you can develop a decent behind after few years in marriage too.

say what of what? oh boy, i've never heard of these much less pronounce them. Hopefully I'll find good recipes and see what you all think. As for the decent behind, I already have it.


***As for KanadaHye, as I mentioned a couple times. A lot of those ingredients aren't available here. but i'll see what i can do


thank you all for taking the time to add your input! it's been very helpful and enlightening