In "Half Broke Horses," Jeannette Walls reflects on her upbringing and the challenges she faced due to her mother’s lack of support. From a young age, she learned to be resourceful and proactive, taking on responsibilities that others might shy away from. This independence astonished her mother, who found it both admirable and troubling. While her mother recognized her daughter's determination, she also worried about the societal expectations of femininity.

Walls describes her mother as grappling with the idea that a girl could possess such assertiveness and drive. Despite acknowledging her daughter's strength, there remained a tension between the expectations of being ladylike and the reality of her capabilities. This internal conflict both inspired and concerned her mother, illustrating the complexities of gender roles and the struggle for acceptance in a world that often undermined women's potential.