What Does Being A Woman Mean To You?
There's been a lot of online discussion lately among Mormon bloggers about the purpose and role of women. It's gotten me thinking about what my womanhood means to me personally.
Because I am a woman...
I control the mood in my home be it for good or bad.
I feel personally responsible and happy when my children laugh.
I let myself watch "chick-flicks" every few months.
I feel guilty that I've never made bread from scratch (but I still never will).
It is especially delightful when people find out I have knunchucks skills.
I try on 5 different outfits before church every Sunday.
I make sure to give extra firm handshakes.
I cried five times during the movie, Ice Age. I was pregnant at the time, but still, wow.
I also cried on the day I brought my first daughter home from the hospital because I was sad she'd leave and go to college in 18 years.
I own "fat pants."
I valiantly defend my right to never wear pantyhose again.
I know they are lying when the say there is no difference between men and women.
I want Hilary to be President although I disagree with most of her ideas and won't vote for her.
The sound of my children crying is the worst torture in the world.
I fear I'll never be as strong as my mother.
I want to have another baby even though I know it's insanity.
Because I am a woman, I know I can have it all, but can also make the decision not to.
I'm interested to know how the rest of you define yourselves as women. Or for men, what are some of characteristics unique to the women in your lives?
Because I am a woman...
I control the mood in my home be it for good or bad.
I feel personally responsible and happy when my children laugh.
I let myself watch "chick-flicks" every few months.
I feel guilty that I've never made bread from scratch (but I still never will).
It is especially delightful when people find out I have knunchucks skills.
I try on 5 different outfits before church every Sunday.
I make sure to give extra firm handshakes.
I cried five times during the movie, Ice Age. I was pregnant at the time, but still, wow.
I also cried on the day I brought my first daughter home from the hospital because I was sad she'd leave and go to college in 18 years.
I own "fat pants."
I valiantly defend my right to never wear pantyhose again.
I know they are lying when the say there is no difference between men and women.
I want Hilary to be President although I disagree with most of her ideas and won't vote for her.
The sound of my children crying is the worst torture in the world.
I fear I'll never be as strong as my mother.
I want to have another baby even though I know it's insanity.
Because I am a woman, I know I can have it all, but can also make the decision not to.
I'm interested to know how the rest of you define yourselves as women. Or for men, what are some of characteristics unique to the women in your lives?
Comments
"It's the essence of Annie in the air."
Better do your dishes. I'm gonna be within a 20 mile radius of you. I might not be able to resist the urge to pop in. Doh!
If I choose incorrectly I have no one to blame save myself. I choose the feelings I have.
Ultimately it doesn't matter how anyone other than my self defines *my* gender role. If I disagree with another person -oh well. In that same regard, they have the right to decide for them self as well. I don't have the right to force anyone to agree with me. If I can persuade someone to my idea that's fine. Force? No.
I believe this theory works for both genders.
I know that there are geographic areas where people *are* forced, but we are talking about women in the U.S. If a woman here is dissatisfied about her role she needs to defend her opinion and work hard to gain what she lacks.
And because it is Hollywood's blog and that means serious subjects are usually taboo:
I can buy a lot of shoes,worship chocolate, and decorate anyway I want and it's "o.k.".
2- I don't remember the last time I owned pantyhose and never intend to purchase them again. And yes, I have unattractive spider veins on my pasty pale legs. And no, I don't care who's grossed out by them.
3- I am always very puzzled by women who get up in arms about societal roles. I always wanted to be a wife and mother. I am also very intelligent, college-educated, and not afraid to label myself as a stay-at-home mom. I think I can do much more good by being a mother and teaching my child(ren) how to be a good person than I ever could have in some glamorous, high-paying job. I could have done any number of things with my life and I chose to be a mother - to create life and mold decent human beings who will in turn do the same.
It's sad to me how women are their own worst enemy these days. And I'm very confused how so many women can only feel "fulfilled" by trying to act like men. Whats so wrong with being a woman? Whether it's in the workplace or at home, women have unique skill sets that should be encouraged and rewarded.
Preachy, preachy. I just want all you ladies to know that I've got your back. Just make sure you're happy with what you're doing.
I love your list and agree with all of it--except for I might actually vote for Hillary. Maybe. Haven't made my mind up. But I COULD, because I don't have a problem with a woman being president.
What does being a woman mean to me? The ability to successfully multi-task.
And by the way - Sarah A. has just started a blog. You can link to it from her comments on mine.
But living in this day I am able to learn and enjoy other things as well that once weren't considered typical interests for a woman.
I can enjoy the same things as a man (football, cars, etc.) without being thought of as bizarre, while if a man enjoys any of the fine arts of homemaking to too large a degree he's thought of as weak or feminine or maybe his neighbors even wonder if he has a different sexual preference.
I love being able to dress up or wear jeans and a hoodie. I love being able to have a wide range of hobbies. From crochet to basketball.
I think I have it great as a woman.
But it also means I can choose to take on a "traditional" woman's role if I want to -- being a housewife, cooking, nurturing -- which I do.
I can also wear skirts and dresses without getting funny looks.
I think it's harder for men who want to be house husbands.
And definitely harder for men who want to wear skirts.
Although I love Eddie Izzard.
Putting people in nice neat little boxes limits everyone.
Just think of how much nicer the world would be if we all could recognize we're all human and can contribute in different ways.
I guess this is why we are considered weird at church. Well, maybe one of the reasons. :-)
As a true nerd, I love school and working in the world, and very much miss it while home with my kids. But I love my children and want to make this sacrifice.
I honestly feel our gender has nothing to prove, just improvement to make on who we are. We are powerful in more ways than we can imagine, but don't always realize it.
As for Hillary--a female in the White House would be great, but I'd rather have one I can agree with. Until one of those come along, I'm perfectly comfortable with male presidents, and would rather vote on credentials than gender.
But don't get me started in politics unless you love a friendly debate--I'll stick with swapping jello recipies.
I am lonely and very, very bored with playing solitare on my computer.
I hope you are feeling okay and that the spiders in the walls don't get you. They are always making those noises and they won't stop! How do you make them stop?
I also cried 30 minutes after my first son was born because I pictured him leaving me for college in 18 years!
I also try on 5 different outfits before church. You don't want to walk in my closet after church, and it also explains why I never have extra time to make my hair look good!
Adding my own: Because I am a woman, I feel guilty when people find out that my husband does all the cooking in the house. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.