When a woman behaves in a way that does not fit the dominant traditional idea of how a proper woman should be like, all hell breaks loose. We are expected to be weak, tender, vulnerable, sensitive, nurturing and homely. In short, we MUST embody the qualities of a SUBMISSIVE HOUSEWIFE. Do not get me wrong, being weak or/and vulnerable does not mean that you are flawed and there is nothing wrong with being a submissive housewife. However, it appears that while everything else in the world seems to be changing and evolving, these unspoken rules/ expectations seem not to. We say we hate stereotypes but seem to constantly put THESE ONES ESPECIALLY on a pedestal.
So, what is it really to be a woman? What is it really to embody womanhood? To reek femininity? And why do we feel as if the 'woman box' is a tad bit constraining? Where do we find a balance between traditional feminine ideologies and how women REALLY are? How do we comfortably just be human without feeling like there is a way, as a woman, YOU SHOULD BE?
For those that prefer or rather, think that the traditional feminine expectations/qualities are for them, good for you. I am not here to convince you otherwise.
While we can be tender, sensitive, vulnerable and nurturing we are also VERY STRONG. I know, sociocultural factors have favored male dominance. They are the strong ones, the rogue and macho ones. But there is a need to reconcile societal expectations and reality.
Therefore, as much as society has a fixed template on how a woman should be like, at the end of the day, the ultimate decision on how we (women) should be must be that of the individual. Generalizing women's behavior dismisses the diversity of women. Women can embody very many qualities, including qualities that men embody. It's indeed a shame that once again, misogyny is constantly fueling cultural stupidity.
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. I did not realize how much this saying contrasts women from men until now. Mars and Venus are different, but they are from the same solar system.
Perhaps the cultural climate will soon evolve and women can freely be, well, human.
Chero