In many cultures, particularly outside of the U.S. and like countries, women are still very oppressed and suppressed, and regarded as the weaker sex. Many women are forced to comply with extensive and erroneous rules, which are instated by men. These men consider themselves strong because of their power, and yet it takes more strength to follow rules than to make them. For men it is not particularly taxing to patrol and punish women who step outside the boundaries given to them. Many men easily accomplish regulation in numbers and with weapons. There's nothing strong or admirable about unjust abuse of power.
More so, it takes deep-rooted strength and audacity, for women to object and fight for the rights of women as equal human beings. Men will perhaps never know the strength and courage that is required of woman to rise against a capital of sexist men.
Even in countries such as the U.S., women still face resistance and difficulties to get where they want and be considered of equal ability as men. It has been said: what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. And as women confronting and overcoming oppression from men has only increasingly made us stronger, and a force to be reckoned with. The more trials dealt to us, the more opportunities we are given to triumph.
Furthermore, I've heard men say repeatedly, that there's nothing they find more beautiful than a woman. In history, it has often been a women who has been the only being capable of bringing even the most powerful of men to their knees. After all, even powerful men are not immune to going weak in the knees at the sight of a beautiful woman.
As for the most delusional men who believe a woman is of no use other than, perhaps, as a sex object, they should consider the fact that it was a woman who gave birth to them and brought them into this world. Nothing they have obtained in life would have been possible without first a woman giving them the opportunity to live.
The argument for women rights and equal consideration is in a sense, endless, as there are countless reasons, besides the few I briefly touched on above, as to why women are anything but weak and lacking. Of course, there may always be men who will try to contradict any argument that does not support men being superior beings. Nonetheless, as women, we should always celebrate our uniqueness and be aware of our strength, and call on our strength, even, to fight for the rights of women who are still under much oppression.
So ladies, tell me what are some things you like about being female? Please do dish on any "girl power" stories whether they're from your own life, or just one you heard. And what are your views and thoughts on the debate of supposed men superiority and women's rights? (And just so you're not unsure, gentlemen, you're welcome to share your views on this topic as well).
Photo Credits: surrealseven @ http://www.thefashionspot.com/ & www.flickr.com/photos/10330100@N06 & www.flickr.com/photos/120days & www.pamelahanson.com & www.flickr.com/photos/piercefashion
34 comments:
What a thought provoking piece.
I don’t have amazingly strong views on the matter but i know my mum did, she kept her maiden name when she got married for instance. Although i would say women do have a strange power over men, they do act differently around them, but this is more to impress them women in my opinion.
Lovely pictures to by the way.
sc! you always write the most inspirational interesting entries<3
i loved reading this.
Thanks for your comment on my last entry, I'm so glad you liked it! That thing about good-looking people changing their hair and becoming not-so-good-looking anymore, umm, SO TRUE! haha
To add to your discussion on women, I think fashion, if used wisely, can be very empowering for women. The invention of the bra and pants for women liberated women physically and made it easier for them to join the labor force. Whether the teetering high heels of today enslave women by preventing them from walking fast or empower them by making them feel beautiful is still a topic of debate...
What a great topic! Women have everything it takes to be strong and powerful - but sometimes men keep blocking their way.
'After all, even powerful men are not immune to going weak in the knees at the sight of a beautiful woman - very true. And that's not something to be ashamed of; we should take advantage of our "weapons" :) In a smart way, of course.
I have a 13 year old brother who thinks I'm a femeniste; but I don't think women are better than men - we are all equal human beings.
btw, Raspberry is just an alias :) a delicious one ^^
Rock on
Raspberry
Love the topic!
Toally agree with everything your saying.
What have the guys got that we havnt??
Nuts. Thats all.
Its so unfair,
=]] Great post!
Libbi
xx
I couldn't agree more, men so often underestimate women or think that there are things they can't or shouldn't do. In fact there are many things which women excel at which men struggle to do and I don't just mean washig dishes and raising children. Amazing pictures too, you're so good at finding photos which capture the mood of your writing!
Thanks for the add! Sorry you couldn't find the post but I foolishly scheduled it to publsih tomorrow - think I'l just post it now thoguh! I gave you a name-check since your post introduced me to the pictures! Char x
Wow dear, another amazing and touching post... <3
Thank you so much for everything! You inspire me so much, both in the 'stylish way' with the gorgeous photographs you post, but maybe even more with the subjects you talk about and they way you talk about them without blaming anything or anyone, but on a very critical note. I truly love that about you and i recognise a lot from myself in your posts. :)
To me, this is such a difficult subject to have a good based opinion about. On one hand i think very simple: a human being is a human being, man or woman.
On the other hand, of course there are differences between the sexes and this is how it's supposed to be! It's so unfortunate there still is this kind of battle between men and women, while they're are supposed to strenghten each other in stead of trying to make each other weaker...
LOVE, Mila.
s-c.
my girl- OK now. I truly don't know what to say ? I truly don't. Your kindness reaches to the galaxies above and I am truly + fully blessed to have met you. SO thank you for not only what you do which inspires hundreds on a daily, BUT for the person you are.
OH WOW. I could write for hours on this topic. Especially since I've lived in Africa for almost 4 years now... When I was in Social Work I would come home in tears after hearing some of these stories that the ladies told me. I mean I've never heard anything like it... and I'll never forget it. NEVER.
Women here, in most cultures, are NOT treated equally. Its how its been for decades and that's ( sadly ) how it will remain. These men are being raised from children to believe they are superior and that the wife is simply there to bare children. It is a vicious cycle which gets carried through the generations...
oh my- i should stop now or I could go on forever...
i personally think that everyone is equal. Simple as that. I know it might be naive or extremely idealistic...but I can't think otherwise. I treat everyone equally... and will forever do so.
hope you're having a lovely Sunday girl xx.
Amazing post as usual, and discussing something I feel very strongly about. Any man who is deluded enough to believe that he has superiority over any woman just because of his gender is worthless. And it is very sad that such men do indeed exist.
yup, so true! What I'm always thinking about when people talk about this subject is: why did this happen in the first place? I mean, as you said, men wouldn't be around if it wasn't for their mothers, so why didn't they get more respect?
Oh and I'm glad you like breakbot! I think he doesn't have a real cd yet so that's probably why you can't find him on rhapsody. I'll let you know if I find something new from him ^-^
Such a fantastic post! I think in the last century, womenhave definitely shown they are a force to be reckoned with by fighting for equal rights that have alluded them for centuries. Unfortunately, the women who are faced with the strongest oppression are also the ones who are unable to protest and take a stand - which is why those who can should help their fellow women to a achieve an equal balance.
PS. Spot is the only pet I have - he's such a handful he's only a year old and he's a bit hyperactive :D
This post made my entire day. I wish I could say something more deep than that but honestly, my breath is taken away. I love it. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Oh dear, you have really made me think! Which I wasn't planning to do on the morning of a public holiday!
Great post, you are seriously such a good writer, I know I have said this before.
I think we are absolutely all equal, and it really upsets me to think of other cultures where women are treated as so much lesser. I hope that this is something that they will evolve out of as I find it hard to comprehend when the society I live in isn't like that.
Oh and you don't need to find a backyard to live on your trampoline, just do it in the middle of the street. I'm usre no one will mind.
"As for the most delusional men who believe a woman is of no use other than, perhaps, as a sex object, they should consider the fact that it was a woman who gave birth to them and brought them into this world. Nothing they have obtained in life would have been possible without first a woman giving them the opportunity to live." best quote!
Great post.
Luv you for making us ponder abt this issue...
Inner strength and character,
and an unique individual & not a cookie-cutter;values and the ways in which she expresses those values...the way she perceives herself in the world;how she carries herself, responds to others and conducts her life & oothers... it's not abt me,me,me alone but others... that's real power I think...
we think we are equal and a gal is as capable as a guy. but, whenever i try to get out of doing stuff i don't like, i always pretend to be "weak and dumb" so bf will do it. it makes him feel very manly. : )
I'm an architect, so I work in a mostly mail enviroment. Every day I have the fight agains the prejudices! But it makes me stronger ;)
This is an evoticative and touchy subject Miss Susanna :) Marvelous!
Personally i find a stronger resistance in society in accepting that i'm asian than that i am a female but i also experience prejudices with being this sex. No one imagery comes to mind but simple everyday 'frownings', 'derogatory comments' or ',mens general behaviour' towards women are examples of what i've faced. Issues that you've already mentioned lol :)
If i were in a more happy and personable state i would love to contribute more because i have strong opinions on such matters so apologies for this rather brief comment.
I shall try to get him to squawk... thats basically like a smile right? :P
I love being a woman. I love being strong but feminine at the same time. And nothing is more rewarding in the role of a woman than being a mother. It's changed my view on everything, and especially on my view of femininity.
first: great choice of pictures. stunning and powerful.
love the way you write, i liked this a lot: Men will perhaps never know the strength and courage that is required of woman to rise against a capital of sexist men.
i liked that for i totally agree.
its hard beeing a woman. to tell you the truth the only advantage we have is that we dont need to go in the army(well, only israelian girls) and that we are better dressed. :) or have more choice for that matter.
my brother always had more freedom, cause my parents were always in big care for me out of scared what can world do to me.
but i am in a business world now and fashion world as well. and i can say: man man man.
its all about man, in corporative world you have to work harder to prove yourself and make a cut when man are trying to be more "outgoing" and in fashion world: you have to prove yourself more : again; cause you are not gay male.
so... im not a fighter for women rights, im a fighter for people rights.
but when we start just analysing language, human=man. who wrote the dictionary??? but that is of the topic.
but you know what, it is harder, but that is just making as stronger and more succesfull! as you said in the post.
pony
p.s. pls gay humans, i dint mean to ofend anyone. i have no prejudice of any kind.
I won't try to dish out my own girl power story but here's what I can tell you from having lived in the Middle East for a few years.
My husband and I met a number of Arabic women who are powerful and well educated but married to some (tragically) not so bright or intelligent men because they were told to or arranged to do so by their parents.
One particular lady we knew was a school principal but wasn't allowed to expose her face so whenever she is out of her home she had to wear a head gear that only showed her eyes. That gave her headache but no matter. Her husband didn't allow her to go out without one. She once took a three day holiday with her friends and when she returned from her holiday she was grounded because she wasn't supposed to be away from home and having a good time with her girlfriend.
One woman I know once complained that she couldn't get a driver's license because her husband doesn't allow it. See she has a degree and he is was a high school dropout. She couldn't communicate with him at any level. In the meanwhile he would go out and get himself a second wife, probably... This is just coming from different culture. It's all relative in the end. What I've written here isn't old either. I was there between 2002 and 2004. The UAE is much less conservative than most countries but this kind thing was prevalent. That was one of the reasons why I couldn't stay any longer although we could have saved a lot of money if we stayed... one of those things. Did I make you depressed? Hope not.
There are a lot of women out there in the Middle East and subcontinent living under some horrific conditions. What we have and what we suffer in western societies is really nothing compared to what they have to endure...
what i love about being a woman?
let me think about it!
i don't need much time because i have the answer and i feel like screaming and jumping:EVERYTHING!!!
i love being in the skin i'm in, i feel beautiful, clever,and willing to change something everyday, for me and for those who mean something to me:)
i am proud to be a woman and when i know i have the chance to get stronger each day, fighting for what i love in my life i feel nothign more and nothing else than trully blessed:)
i have a song from Alicia Keys in my mind right now called 'Superwoman', which goes like this:
'Cause I am a Superwoman
Yes I am
Yes she is
Even when I’m a mess
I still put on a vest
With an S on my chest
Oh yes
I’m a Superwoman':)
beautiful writing again, and the photos are amazing!keep up with the good work:)
Gia:X:X:X
wow. lovely writing, always love the pictures you choose.
I so agree with this topic especially being from Nigeria in west Africa. I lot of women see have no power whatsoever. I remember my grandma telling me how people criticized her dad for sending to school and how difficult it was for her trying to be independent and sending herself to school in london.
great topic :)
xoxo
really nice post.
Hey S-C, hope you don't mind, but I've tagged you :)
Rock on
Raspberry
What an interesting topic, and the pictures you chose really represent the power of women.
I am of your opinion, that women should have equal rights to men, for example in many companies women are still underpaid. (But I am not a feminist - in my brain feminists are still linked to men-hating individuals, and that's not me ^^)
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And it's such a beautiful sentence, and so true. You gotta be tough, you gotta fight. (I grew up with this attitude because I sort of grew up in the "ghetto" of our town ^^)
What you say about beautiful women is true too. Women have power over men thru their beauty. You read about this in connection with all sorts of powerful women from the past - just think of Cleopatra.
And I have absolutely no respect for men who only regard women as sex objects.
I like being female! We can wear boys clothes as well as girls' clothes, we can spend hours in the bathroom,....
I like your posts so much! I can leave so long comments on them! Keep writin'!
xoxo
C.
Hey S-C,
Deep thoughts! Love how your socio-political commentary is interspersed with amazing photos! I think it is horrid that women still make less $ than men for the same job. And it really stinks that men are allowed to get old and gray and "distinguished" while aged women are maligned as hags. Other than that, I feel quite fortunate to be a woman!
Exquisitely edited, thought-provoking post. Bravo! (And congrats on your 50th as well!).
xoxox,
CC
I love your blog and would like to exchange links!
x emma
S-C,
Very well written. I love how the photos you chose went so perfectly with it!! Goodness knows how many times I have had this topic running through my mind.. especially this part... In history, it has often been a women who has been the only being capable of bringing even the most powerful of men to their knees. After all, even powerful men are not immune to going weak in the knees at the sight of a beautiful woman. it's so true!!
Thanks for the comments, sitting here with tomato soup, iTunes (Cold Play- Viva La Vida!!) and trying to get better... gradually. Glad you liked my collage, I have so much fun making them for you guys.
xo/ fashion chalet
you're such a good writer. i must say. and you've also chosen the most beautiful pictures i've seen in a long time! the first and the last picture is amazing.
These photos are beautiful.
this post really hit me! i strolled by your blog because i relate to your story-telling perspective, and wish I could make arty pieces like this. so beautiful, earnest and great. My blog is a bit silly in comparison, but what the heck, as long as we both tell a story from our own female-and-so-many-other perspectives. keep fighting, tiger!
XX
Post a Comment