It’s been a while since my last blog entry, haven’t had much inspiration to do some writing. Been busy on the rat-race we call life. This is why my following post will tackle the subject of “getting ahead in life” and the many, many, many expectations placed on women by a western society.
In my early-twenties I feel the pressure daily to do and act a certain way which is perceived by society as “the norm”. In the 21st century women are expected to be polite, sexy, caring, amazing cooks, exceptional maids, smart, wonderful mothers, have an amazing body, be naturally beautiful and still have the time and energy to please their husbands/ significant others.
The pressures placed on women in today’s western societies to conform, fit in or to stand out are immense and begin at an early age. Toddlers take part in beauty pageants, cartoons and child shows depict young girls cleaning, getting married at the age of 16, depending on the ‘prince on a white horse’ to rescue them (think Disney Cartoons like “Cinderella”, “The little mermaid” and “Snow White” to name a few). Things like these plant the seed of thought at very ripe ages. The seed continues to grow throughout the teen years, causing teenage girls to judge each other and compare their best features.
One might ask, what the origin is of these expectations, how is it possible that women are perceived as having to conform to all these diverging roles. The answer that I’ve come up with is that the long-term lack of a female perspective in politics. Keep in mind that it wasn’t until the early 20th century that women were allowed to vote, let alone hold a position in office. The past decade has seen an immense contribution by women to the views and expectations of society. However, the damage was already done long before women could deter or even change society’s perceptions.
Even though the political arena is predominantly male, the few female candidates are blazing a trial for others to follow. Society needs more women in parliament, more women and politics. Women need to be part of the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
The pressures placed on women in today’s western societies to conform, fit in or to stand out are immense and begin at an early age. Toddlers take part in beauty pageants, cartoons and child shows depict young girls cleaning, getting married at the age of 16, depending on the ‘prince on a white horse’ to rescue them (think Disney Cartoons like “Cinderella”, “The little mermaid” and “Snow White” to name a few). Things like these plant the seed of thought at very ripe ages. The seed continues to grow throughout the teen years, causing teenage girls to judge each other and compare their best features.
One might ask, what the origin is of these expectations, how is it possible that women are perceived as having to conform to all these diverging roles. The answer that I’ve come up with is that the long-term lack of a female perspective in politics. Keep in mind that it wasn’t until the early 20th century that women were allowed to vote, let alone hold a position in office. The past decade has seen an immense contribution by women to the views and expectations of society. However, the damage was already done long before women could deter or even change society’s perceptions.
Even though the political arena is predominantly male, the few female candidates are blazing a trial for others to follow. Society needs more women in parliament, more women and politics. Women need to be part of the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
The pressures placed on women in today’s western societies to conform, fit in or to stand out are immense and begin at an early age. Toddlers take part in beauty pageants, cartoons and child shows depict young girls cleaning, getting married at the age of 16, depending on the ‘prince on a white horse’ to rescue them (think Disney Cartoons like “Cinderella”, “The little mermaid” and “Snow White” to name a few). Things like these plant the seed of thought at very ripe ages. The seed continues to grow throughout the teen years, causing teenage girls to judge each other and compare their best features.
One might ask, what the origin is of these expectations, how is it possible that women are perceived as having to conform to all these diverging roles. The answer that I’ve come up with is that the long-term lack of a female perspective in politics. Keep in mind that it wasn’t until the early 20th century that women were allowed to vote, let alone hold a position in office. The past decade has seen an immense contribution by women to the views and expectations of society. However, the damage was already done long before women could deter or even change society’s perceptions.
Even though the political arena is predominantly male, the few female candidates are blazing a trial for others to follow. Society needs more women in parliament, more women and politics. Women need to be part of the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
One might ask, what the origin is of these expectations, how is it possible that women are perceived as having to conform to all these diverging roles. The answer that I’ve come up with is that the long-term lack of a female perspective in politics. Keep in mind that it wasn’t until the early 20th century that women were allowed to vote, let alone hold a position in office. The past decade has seen an immense contribution by women to the views and expectations of society. However, the damage was already done long before women could deter or even change society’s perceptions.
Even though the political arena is predominantly male, the few female candidates are blazing a trial for others to follow. Society needs more women in parliament, more women and politics. Women need to be part of the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
Even though the political arena is predominantly male, the few female candidates are blazing a trial for others to follow. Society needs more women in parliament, more women and politics. Women need to be part of the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
In my early-twenties I feel the pressure daily to do and act a certain way which is perceived by society as “the norm”. In the 21st century women are expected to be polite, sexy, caring, amazing cooks, exceptional maids, smart, wonderful mothers, have an amazing body, be naturally beautiful and still have the time and energy to please their husbands/ significant others.
The pressures placed on women in today’s western societies to conform, fit in or to stand out are immense and begin at an early age. Toddlers take part in beauty pageants, cartoons and child shows depict young girls cleaning, getting married at the age of 16, depending on the ‘prince on a white horse’ to rescue them (think Disney Cartoons like “Cinderella”, “The little mermaid” and “Snow White” to name a few). Things like these plant the seed of thought at very ripe ages. The seed continues to grow throughout the teen years, causing teenage girls to judge each other and compare their best features.
One might ask, what the origin is of these expectations, how is it possible that women are perceived as having to conform to all these diverging roles. The answer that I’ve come up with is that the long-term lack of a female perspective in politics. Keep in mind that it wasn’t until the early 20th century that women were allowed to vote, let alone hold a position in office. The past decade has seen an immense contribution by women to the views and expectations of society. However, the damage was already done long before women could deter or even change society’s perceptions.
Even though the political arena is predominantly male, the few female candidates are blazing a trial for others to follow. Society needs more women in parliament, more women and politics. Women need to be part of the decision making process.
In closing, I would like to make clear that regardless of the past, the future is yet to be determined. A balanced society is within our grasp. In order to have a gender-balanced society, society needs more women involved in the decision making process.
Written by Mellaney Rodriguez
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