Post by khankrumthebulgar on Jul 21, 2009 8:06:29 GMT -5
posted by Admin-for-a-Day
Friday, July 17, 2009
As an older sister, mother and aunt, I wonder what effect the very public trials and tribulations of Sarah Palin will have on the young women who will attempt to press their footprints into the turf of tomorrow. The messages that now surround Palin’s persona hit women powerfully close to home. She has been vilified for choosing to become a mother of 5 children, taking on a powerful political role, and daring to reach out toward her full potential as a woman while maintaining her striking brand of femininity. Surprisingly, she has been attacked by the very people who champion the role and rights of women in the modern world.
The machinations of the socially correct voices signal to young women that a narrow framework has been identified as to what will be acceptable for women to accomplish with their lives. Unfortunately, many will stay on the ground rather than try their fate on an unforgiving tight rope positioned high above a crowd that sadistically considers their fall.
I think many women find that deep in their heart of hearts that their role as a beautiful mother and wife is integral to their happiness and fulfillment. We cannot escape the calling in our hearts to create and nurture a family. However, in the same breath we also hold a deep desire to be effective in the landscape that stretches beyond the home. We readily recognize the unique contributions we can make and feel compelled to make them. Our world needs all hands on deck, and we give the best of ourselves to accomplish the work before us.
We will not allow any woman to be subjected to hostility or taunted mercilessly for bravely achieving her measure of success in life. Young women need to stand up and say, No. Her children are off-limits. Her clothes are off limits. Her hair is off limits. Her delicate balance of home and work, as long, as she gets her job done, is off limits. We still do not treat men and women according to their merits in our culture, and we need to keep pressing the issue until we get to that point.
Whether I agree with Palin’s politics or not, I recognize that her expression as a woman is similar to the aspirations of many women. Not so much in her choice of career and public persona, but as a loving mom, devoted wife, and energetic career woman. I for one, truly appreciate living in an era where a woman can theoretically achieve a life that fulfills her soul and imprint a legacy that uses all her talents and resources successfully. I am concerned that many women will look at Palin’s recent public example and Hillary Clinton’s as well, and take to heart that women can only go so far before they are sidelined by a man unencumbered by the subtle taint of split responsibility.
By the essential quality that women do not compartmentalize and delegate important aspects of their lives, they often come across as less strong, particularly in the eyes of men and antifeminine women. Nothing is further from the truth. Many women, as they mature, become more whole as a result of their ability to balance and value each aspect of their life adequately. Mature, life-tested women are not weak; they are very, very strong and capable. Their perspective is beautifully integrated, responsive and powerfully adept. These women will be tremendously effective if given full opportunity to manage their lives outside the rectangle.
We must begin to tip the paradigm towards the center as we move forward. Ultimately, the priorities of women do not fit into the narrow rule-set of the traditional environment. In the future, we must still strive to widen the narrow norms to accommodate a more seamless blending of work and family without prejudice. With the advent of technology and access, there is no excuse not to.
Friday, July 17, 2009
As an older sister, mother and aunt, I wonder what effect the very public trials and tribulations of Sarah Palin will have on the young women who will attempt to press their footprints into the turf of tomorrow. The messages that now surround Palin’s persona hit women powerfully close to home. She has been vilified for choosing to become a mother of 5 children, taking on a powerful political role, and daring to reach out toward her full potential as a woman while maintaining her striking brand of femininity. Surprisingly, she has been attacked by the very people who champion the role and rights of women in the modern world.
The machinations of the socially correct voices signal to young women that a narrow framework has been identified as to what will be acceptable for women to accomplish with their lives. Unfortunately, many will stay on the ground rather than try their fate on an unforgiving tight rope positioned high above a crowd that sadistically considers their fall.
I think many women find that deep in their heart of hearts that their role as a beautiful mother and wife is integral to their happiness and fulfillment. We cannot escape the calling in our hearts to create and nurture a family. However, in the same breath we also hold a deep desire to be effective in the landscape that stretches beyond the home. We readily recognize the unique contributions we can make and feel compelled to make them. Our world needs all hands on deck, and we give the best of ourselves to accomplish the work before us.
We will not allow any woman to be subjected to hostility or taunted mercilessly for bravely achieving her measure of success in life. Young women need to stand up and say, No. Her children are off-limits. Her clothes are off limits. Her hair is off limits. Her delicate balance of home and work, as long, as she gets her job done, is off limits. We still do not treat men and women according to their merits in our culture, and we need to keep pressing the issue until we get to that point.
Whether I agree with Palin’s politics or not, I recognize that her expression as a woman is similar to the aspirations of many women. Not so much in her choice of career and public persona, but as a loving mom, devoted wife, and energetic career woman. I for one, truly appreciate living in an era where a woman can theoretically achieve a life that fulfills her soul and imprint a legacy that uses all her talents and resources successfully. I am concerned that many women will look at Palin’s recent public example and Hillary Clinton’s as well, and take to heart that women can only go so far before they are sidelined by a man unencumbered by the subtle taint of split responsibility.
By the essential quality that women do not compartmentalize and delegate important aspects of their lives, they often come across as less strong, particularly in the eyes of men and antifeminine women. Nothing is further from the truth. Many women, as they mature, become more whole as a result of their ability to balance and value each aspect of their life adequately. Mature, life-tested women are not weak; they are very, very strong and capable. Their perspective is beautifully integrated, responsive and powerfully adept. These women will be tremendously effective if given full opportunity to manage their lives outside the rectangle.
We must begin to tip the paradigm towards the center as we move forward. Ultimately, the priorities of women do not fit into the narrow rule-set of the traditional environment. In the future, we must still strive to widen the narrow norms to accommodate a more seamless blending of work and family without prejudice. With the advent of technology and access, there is no excuse not to.
