2008 Woodie Awards
The evolution of women: what is holding us back?
Campus Love Connection
Eve Donegan
Issue date: 5/22/07 Section: Features
Women have found their new place in the world. We are no longer seen as simply a supportive base for men. Rather we have graduated to the same level as them and in many areas we have already left them in the dust.
As a woman in college I am constantly reminded that I can do anything a man can do, and better. Yet, with all our strength and talent why is it that men can still so easily dominate us?
We may be able to outscore them in classes, on the job, or even on the playing field, yet we continually prove to be weak when it comes to matters of the heart.
As soon as the subject of approval comes into play, we are back where we started: the needy woman seeking to please her man. You would think that with all our newfound confidence and power we would see ourselves in a true light as beautiful, strong women. But the persistent need for praise and recognition in our everyday lives holds us back from fully reaching our potential. Unlike men, we are unable to simply know we are okay.
As women, we strive to find others' approval on every aspect of our lives. Whether it be that our jeans are the right style or that we still have the killer abs we had in high school. This dependence on others, men in particular, has become an addiction that significantly weakens a woman's ability to live a strong, independent life.
We are constantly bombarded with movies, music and ads that proclaim women's independence from men. Yet, I see complete independence from men as still being a long way off. As a whole, our sex is still unable to see ourselves as we truly are.
Women have the habit of scrutinizing every comment received and every look that passes their way. Thoughts like, "Am I hot enough?" or "Is she better than me?" are always rushing through our minds.
Maybe it doesn't matter who thinks who is hot. Maybe the ability to decide for ourselves who and what we are is still buried deep within us. The discovery of self-worth may save us from losing the full extent of our potential. Lets face it: we are intelligent, strong, and powerful and those qualities are not decided by others. They are decided and affirmed within ourselves.
As a woman in college I am constantly reminded that I can do anything a man can do, and better. Yet, with all our strength and talent why is it that men can still so easily dominate us?
We may be able to outscore them in classes, on the job, or even on the playing field, yet we continually prove to be weak when it comes to matters of the heart.
As soon as the subject of approval comes into play, we are back where we started: the needy woman seeking to please her man. You would think that with all our newfound confidence and power we would see ourselves in a true light as beautiful, strong women. But the persistent need for praise and recognition in our everyday lives holds us back from fully reaching our potential. Unlike men, we are unable to simply know we are okay.
As women, we strive to find others' approval on every aspect of our lives. Whether it be that our jeans are the right style or that we still have the killer abs we had in high school. This dependence on others, men in particular, has become an addiction that significantly weakens a woman's ability to live a strong, independent life.
We are constantly bombarded with movies, music and ads that proclaim women's independence from men. Yet, I see complete independence from men as still being a long way off. As a whole, our sex is still unable to see ourselves as we truly are.
Women have the habit of scrutinizing every comment received and every look that passes their way. Thoughts like, "Am I hot enough?" or "Is she better than me?" are always rushing through our minds.
Maybe it doesn't matter who thinks who is hot. Maybe the ability to decide for ourselves who and what we are is still buried deep within us. The discovery of self-worth may save us from losing the full extent of our potential. Lets face it: we are intelligent, strong, and powerful and those qualities are not decided by others. They are decided and affirmed within ourselves.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Susmita Barua
posted 8/20/08 @ 12:11 AM MST
In order to transcend gender stereotypes women need to to feel whole from within. True self-worth takes inner work at all levels, nurturing us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. (Continued…)
Grant
posted 10/22/08 @ 5:25 PM MST
Everyone feels like that, men as well. Everyone feels they aren't good enough, everyone needs approval, everyone needs other people and is vulnerable to manipulation. (Continued…)
Post a Comment