Here is a response I received from a fellow friend..these are the questions I pose on the topic of being a woman, etc.
What does it mean to be a strong woman?
I think a strong woman is someone who doesn’t allow stereotypes and social
norms to manipulate her, or hold her back. A strong woman does not take
“no” for an answer, but also knows which battles she can and cannot win.
What does it mean to be a beautiful woman?A beautiful woman is someone who is nice and caring. Nothing makes a
woman less beautiful than being rude and selfish. Being physically
beautiful means nothing if no one wants to spend time with you
because of your personality/characteristics.
What does a woman bring forth to you as a man that empowers you,
or weakens you?
As a man, I feel empowered when I have a woman-friend to talk to
and get advice from because I get to see/understand things from
a different perspective.
This is another response I received:
What does it mean to be a woman?
While I have taken a couple of gender women studies courses in college
and learned about how sexuality goes far beyond the binary categories
society sets for us, I cannot help but constantly ponder my own gender
identity. I remember one of my texts talking about how our genitals make
up 1% of our bodies and yet how society takes our genitals and attaches
it to a general notion of difference between female and male identity.
Because I have a vagina, society expects me to play with dolls, wear
bright colors, wear dresses, apply make up, marry a man, etc…
so many expectations because of that one part of my body. Ever since
I’ve been more aware of social problems, especially about sexuality,
I’ve also become more confused. I’m even having a hard time expressing
my confusion.I am aware that society has labeled me female because
when I was born, they saw that I had a vagina. I grew up with what
society has labeled acceptable for girls to grow up with. But now
that I am aware that sexuality isn’t all black and white, and that these
expectations are just made up – why am I still doing what society is
expecting me to do? Am I doing it because I really like it or is it because
I feel pressured to like certain things? Is it that deeply embedded into me?
I want to break the mold, but I think I really do like these things associated
with being female. I think about it time and time again and I realize…
Sure, maybe I’m living the typical socially acceptable way of a female,
but everyone should have a CHOICE of what they want to like
and not like. And whatever their preference is, it should be accepted.
For example, a man should not be looked down upon for having things
associated with being socially female. That one part of his body
should not predetermine how he’s supposed to be. And let’s not forget
how gender is not just binary female/male. I wish people wouldn’t be
so lost and try to label someone with ambiguous genitalia to one category.
If they have characteristics of both a male/female, then that should
be okay, too. I hate how this little piece of us ends up being how
society categorizes us and oppresses us. I am often frustrated with it.
*I’ve jumped around. It is difficult to summarize
my feelings on this subject matter*
Please share what you think..You can find the topic questions in
“ABOUT" page.
* This project is a focus on the identity of being a woman..
what does it mean to be a strong woman?,
what does it mean to be a beautiful woman?
what empowers you as a woman? what motivates
you to be who you are as a woman?
what are some challenges being a woman?
what do you love about yourself being a woman? Perhaps you would like to not just identify yourself as a woman
but what makes you who you are. If you are a guy try thinking about your
answers of what you believe a woman signifies to you in your life.. what do u believe makes a woman strong?, what does a woman bring forth to you as a man that empowers you, or weakens you? how has a woman motivated you as a man? what do you love about a woman? You don’t have to answer all the questions,and it does not need to be in essay form. Think of it through your artistic side, your creative side.. if you like to write poetry, if you like to take photographs, if you like to paint, really any medium of art is well appreciated..
If you are a guy try thinking about your
ReplyDeleteanswers of what you believe a woman signifies to you in your life..?
A women to me, signifies the strength of any community despite the the patriarchal forces of society. Women are central to life in many ways, they are the ones who give birth to a new generation (if they chose to) they are the ones often organizing for better communities for all. There is a lot of strength in such power.
what do u believe makes a woman strong?
i think there is strength in every women, and most of the qualities that ive seen in strong women are: Determined, creative, responsible, intelligent.
what does a woman bring forth to you as a man that empowers you, or weakens you?
Empowerment towards me would be honesty and direct communication. A women that allows me to share myself emotionally is a women that helps me feel empowered as a male. I think the most disempowering moment for me has been when my partner as judged me or called me names such as bitch for crying...
how has a woman motivated you as a man?
My mother is perhaps my biggest motivation. She is a small and strong woman. She is a general about what she wants and expects and her discipline has helped me become a stronger male. When i was a teenager, she would lock me out the house if i violated curfew. I remember she would say: i don't care if you are a male or a female, i expect you to be responsible. As i gotten older she was always guided me in how i should engage with women. Unlike most moms, my moms rarely takes my side on these issues, she always tells it how it is from a womens perspective, even if she doesn't know the woman i am dating. i appreciate this about her because it makes me a better person through this process.
what do you love about a woman?
The women that i love are are complex and more thoughtful than most males. I always found that most issues are not right or wrong with them and they are willing to put themselves in someone else s shoes first, i think this is a great quality that i love about women. I respect this anti-ego aspect.