C&R: For Every Woman…

by Nancy R. Smith
Copyright (c) 1973

1. For every woman who is tired of acting weak when she knows she is strong,
   there is a man who is tired of appearing strong when he feels vulnerable.
2. For every woman who is tired of acting dumb,
   there is a man who is burdened with the constant expectation of "knowing everything."
3. For every woman who is tired of being called "an emotional female,"
   there is a man who is denied the right to weep and to be gentle.
4. For every woman is called unfeminine when she competes,
   there is a man for whom competition is the only way to prove his masculinity.
5. For every woman who is tired of being a sex object,
   there is a man who must worry about his potency.
6. For every woman who feels "tied down" by her children,
   there is a man who is denied the full pleasures of shared parenthood.
7. For every woman who is denied meaningful employment or equal pay,
   there is a man who must bear full financial responsibility for another human being.
8. For every woman who was not taught the intricacies of an automobile,
   there is a man who was not taught the satisfactions of cooking.
9. For every woman who takes a step toward her own liberation,
   there is a man who finds the way to freedom has been made a little easier.

*~*~*

These past hours/days are some of the rare moments I've missed after the recent trips and vacation — times where I don't have much to do (except to answer a few calls to which the problem identificaton proved to be more difficult than the resolution itself. it's also called as work) and have some time to lurk around, visit other sites, and think.  Yes, there are some remnants left here on top.  I happen to bounced on this article by Nancy R. Smith, and it strucked my fancy.

I am never the epitome of a woman. My sister (the sexy silhouette) is what I call a FEMALE being.  Aside from being a typical beautiful human being, she has this innate fashion sense of mixing and matching accesories and colors.  Maybe I am being too judgemental when I call her a typical female, thereby putting a circle over those who pamper themselves too much. I apologize.  That is not what I am driving at.

I have always been more comfortable in oversized shirts, jeans and sneakers with my hair neatly ties up for the most of my so-called life.  I am not into wearing my hair down, with frillies, or skirts for the matter.  High-heeled shoes never came into my closet until the time the college thesis demanded I get at least a 2" heeled shoes (I think I had some pumps used exclusively for social events).  I love hanging out with boys, getting dirty and sweaty (okay, stop those dirty thoughts!).  At a time I thought, "Maybe God made a mistake. I should have been a guy instead."

It seems like an every day battle to challenge the limitations of being a woman.  At least, that's how I majorly see it.  During my younger days, it seems to be a balanced equation except for some ocassional games that guys would really tend to win over girls.  As I grew older, it became more evident to me that being a woman seems to be at the losing end.  Girls had this monthly un-invited visitor.  They have this set of "treasures" that when too heavy becomes a burden rather than an asset, when too flat, would be called a failure.  Free restrooms are very hard to find.  And there's this non-existent-but-vivid line that says a girl is supposed to do this, act like this.  I guess, this is what society's image of a female being really is, and that's why more often than not, that's what is deemed accurate. I, just one of the supposed-female creatures, am supposed to live up to that image.

A friend just mentioned something about  having balance in this world - yin and yang, female and male.  I think that poem explained some of this balance, and society being not so accurate as I thought she should be.  Females are branded as "kikay", posh, delicate, fragile, and anything outrageous than those can merit the term "bitch"; as opposed to male being the strong type who must never shed a single tear otherwise be called a "fag".  To tell you the truth, the strongest man I saw was the one who cried to me without any insecurities.  He was hurt, in pain, and he shed his tears.  That didn't mean that he's a fag, nor did I see anything that earn my disrespect.  He actually earned my respect, trust, and love.

The line distinguishing men and women, from mischarmed's skeptical view is really overrated and highly-sensationalized.  Yes, physically they are different but not too far.  There are parts endowed to women as opposed to men, and vice-versa making it a perfect puzzle (don't make me explain what these are. I am trying to make it as figurative as possible ).  There are some men who really are stronger than most women, but there are some women stronger than some men.  It's a balance.  Men and women are equal in God's eyes, why can't it be the same from those who are created in His image?

I have never been society's biggest fan, and my common sense tells me, I shouldn't start just now.  Well, just because I am wearing a skirt, a frilly top and letting my hair down means I am about to turn into what society expects me to be.  Really.  This simply means I need to our laundry fast so that I can have my normal comfortable clothes back on.