Being a Woman

An on-going news story is the outbreak of "girl violence"--girls fighting one another, sometimes with weapons.

I have always considered myself an advocate of women's rights, but we've lost our focus. I remember the 60s, when a woman couldn't open a bank account or own property in her own name. It wasn't done. As a ninth-grader, I successfully petitioned the superintendent to allow the girls to expand the dress code so we could wear jeans rather than simply dresses or those terrible pastel polyester pants suits. I wasn't allowed to take shop class in high school because no girls were allowed. It wasn't done. Women had to stay in our places.

Things were changing then, but it has taken another generation to create an atmosphere in which women are taken seriously. Many women have leadership positions in business and education. And, finally, we have a female Speaker of the House and a woman who is a viable presidential candidate.

But while we have made strides in women's rights, we've also lost ground. Part of the feminist movement was to rebel against the notion of women as sex objects. I myself am tired of seeing nearly-naked women in the media. Society also encourages aggression in women. If men can do it, why can't we?

I'm raising six sons, and I've taught them to be peaceful rather than aggressive. Just because men are doesn't mean it's the way to be. Many young women are now lowering their own standards to reflect the worst of what has been allowed for men, rather than raising the bar.

Being a woman is complicated. We have many roles which often conflict. Society still places many expectations upon us. And sometimes, whether or not we want to admit it, we're confused about who we want to be.

But I want to see young women who retain higher values. We shouldn't abase ourselves, but instead must respect and elevate ourselves. In the process, we will elevate the society in which we live.