We - women - grow up to believe we're not good enough. We're never really good enough. A man always says/does/knows it better, whatever that "it" may be. We feel inferior to men in so many ways, and some even take it to the next level and compete with men just to prove women can be/do better than men. So, really, why is that gender discrimination?
I think it starts when we're babies: many parents seem overjoyed when the baby is a boy, not a girl. They say it with such pride, like it's a prize well-earned. In our society, many parents give their male children better education and more money. In our society, males have much more freedom than females in many areas.
As young girls and women, we fantasize about the knight in shining armor who shall save, love, take care of, adore us...our whole world will revolve around him, won't it? The media has done a fantastic job with that, in fact. Most romance movies (or any movies for that matter especially Egyptian ones) are about single women seeking love, consumed by love, struggling with love. Before love, the girl's life is empty, meaningless, and once she finds love and gets married...that's when Happily Ever After begins just as The End (sarcastically enough) fills the screen.
Marriage seems the heroine's mission in life: Single, Armed, Seeking Husband is so often the motto. I'm not saying either such movies depict life after marriage as heaven, no.
Even American movies do that. How many movies have you watched about soul mates and love? I believe in soul mates, but I don't think it's what we see in the movies. I've actually written an article about that. You can read it here.
--To Be Continued
3 comments:
This is a great post. :) I'm a woman, sure, but my gender is secondary to who I am as a human being. First and foremost, I'm a person, an individual.
I read your article about soul mates and I thought it was very wise. Relationships work well when the two people complement each other, and always, there must be mutual respect, kindness, and consideration for one another.
Marriage isn't always easy, but when two people can work at staying in love, staying friends, and growing together throughout their lives, it can be a wonderful path.
But it isn't the only path. One size doesn't fit all, which brings me back to being an individual first, then a woman. Not all women will want the same things, any more than all men do.
Excellent food for thought, both in your post and in your article!
Big (((((((((hugs)))))))))), my sweet friend!
it's as if the girl means absolutely nothing unless she's married and has a husband.. and the more she's totally consumed in this "mission" and relationship the better she's preceived to be.. i mean, married women who are working are still frowned upon, in some shape or form.. and it's definitely not the case everywhere and with everyone.. but this stereotypical view still, unfortunately, exists..
we were always raised in such a way that the father is the decision-maker and the mother's decision has to be twisted and expressed in so many indirect ways so as not to infringe the father's authority.. so that she won't appear to be making decisions, but merely saying mild vague opinions, when in fact she's not.. and yet she's happy that way.. nd he's v happy that way ..
and i'm not saying that it should be a "tit-for-tat" relationship.. no, of course not.. each one depends on the other and needs the other.. but as you said it shouldn't be "superior" and "inferior" , it should be a sharing relationship and the women's contribution must be greatly appreciated..
and parents must raise their daughters this way.. like the quieter the girl is and the more shy she is and the more that she has no knowledge of politics or economics or arts or these male-dominated domains the better she is as a bride.. and i've seen it.. sheer ignorence..
but of course, it's not the case everywhere..
i'm dying to read your novel now :):)
and i'll also be happy if you pass by my blog ..
@Thomma: Thanks for your comment, sweetheart. I think we have a similar view on this topic. :)
@Reem: Yes, the more the girl is consumed in this "mission", the better. Very well said.
My novel is much more romantic than my blog, but the novel I'm currently writing is lighter and more realistic. I'll look forward to reading what you think about my novel. :) Will definitely drop by your blog. Take care, dear.
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