Stereotypes of Women

Parentous.com

 Like it or not, stereotypes are a common part of our world. Stereotypes of women in particular run rampant. We, as women, mean different things to different people: some uplifting, others degrading. The following pictures finish the sentence: a woman is... 

What children think of women: 

A MOM

Image from Kim Wilson

Perhaps the most influential person in our individual lives is someone we call mom. As children we love her and her chocolate chip cookies after school. As teenagers, we argue with her incessantly even when we know she's right. As adults, we miss her nearness and are grateful for her wisdom. I agree 100% with the world views on this. My mother had a huge influence on shaping my life, and I love her for it.

A PRINCESS

Oh My Disney

 While every child may not hold this stereotype, it undoubtedly exists. Children, especially little girls often have the wish to grow up and be a princess. Because that is what all women do: sing, walk around in the woods, and wait for a prince to save them, right? Not exactly. I don't think that it's bad for a girl to dress up as a princess. But I think we need to make it clear that she doesn't need someone else to save her.




ANNOYING

Favim.com

Think of how Ron feels about Hermione in the first "Harry Potter" movie. Or Bella in the complete "Twilight" Series. Or Lina Lamont in "Singing in the Rain." The list could go on forever. I've taught swim lessons for years, and there are definitely some little girls who know how to ride my nerves. However, there are also some little boys that do the very same thing. I think this idea of an "obnoxious little sister" type of girl is generally blown out of proportion.

How Society Sees Women: 

AN OBJECT

Google Search: Women

 When you search for "women" in google images, this is what comes up. Notice the words underneath: "hot," "thick," "bare." No sign of "educated," "empowered," or "strong." I have major issues with this mindset; I find it utterly repulsive. A woman should be seen as a person, not an object.

OUT OF PLACE

Sara Diehl

If she chooses to get an education and become a career woman, she is judged for not being at home with her children. In the work field, her salary is not as great, and her opportunities to rise are far fewer than men in the same position. If she stays at home with her children, she is considered lazy for not pulling the weight  for her family. There is no right choice. I say: let a woman do what she wants, and give her the opportunity for greatness. If she wants to stay at home with her children, they will be all the more blessed for that. If she wants to be in the workplace, she can make all the difference.

  

NOT SMART 

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Know Your Meme

A woman can't be a doctor, she can't be a lawyer, she couldn't possibly be a physics major... because girls can't do math or science. At least, that's what they say. I think that is ridiculous. I have known so many brilliant girls in my life. In fact, I don't understand where this stereotype comes from. Both boys and girls have brains, and both are capable of learning math, science, literature, etc!

What Women Think of Themselves: 

NOT ENOUGH

Business Insider

Whether it be postpartum depression, or the constant feeling of failure to live up to societal expectations, depression is a real thing for many women. Comparing between genders of a similar age, women are two times more likely to have depression than men (see Health Line for more information on this subject). I've definitely been there. I've listened to roommates and companions who have been there. I think this is a legitimate issue, and it plagues women more often than men. I think it may be, in part, biology. But I think most of this comes from societal and cultural pressures on women.

NEVER PERFECT

Pinterest - original site currently down

You are grocery shopping, and get in line to check out. While you wait in line you visually browse the magazines: a woman modeling for a  weight loss program, an article about how to keep a cleaner home, a scantily dressed model who has been airbrushed to perfection. Are you surprised by any of these magazines? I wasn't either. The problem is clear. I think this is an issue for both men and women. Society has crazy expectations of beauty, of perfection, of grace. Ideals are okay, I think they encourage us to be better. However, they should not always be at the forefront of our minds.

In Reality A Woman Is... 

LOVABLE

                       

"Piece by piece I fell far from the tree

I will never leave her like you left me

And she will never have to wonder her worth

Because unlike you I’m going to put her first"

Youtube

I adore this video, and all that it entails. I think that it helps us talk about hard subjects, things society shies away from. At the end, the message is made clear and I truly believe it: women are lovable. Not in a sexual way, nor in an abusive way, but truly worthy of both charitable and romantic love.

                                                                                                              

UNDERRATED

McKinsey.com

The statistics can speak for themselves. I think they make the underrepresentation very clear. This is something I don't truly know a ton about, and I wouldn't consider myself a mathematician... but this sure does not look even.









STRONG

A Strong Woman

Let her be whomever she wants to be. I believe women have the potential to be incredibly strong. And watch out, because she just may be better than you.