Woman, Interrupted
to clarify, i am not an "everyday blogger." i blog when i feel inspired or need to release excess energy from my fingers and brain. today just happens to be a blogging kinda day.
the thought running around in my head is that of society's definition of an 'independent woman' (circa present day.) i have spent the better part of the last 7 days watching the "I Love Lucy" DVDs my fabulous bosses surprised me with. [as many of you may know via Facebook, some exciting and life-changing events are happening on the subject of Lucy Ricardo, but we will keep that subject under lock and key for now!] needless to say, i have been observing the role of a woman from the 50's and comparing her to the role of a woman today.
many who will read this might question my motives, so please keep in mind that i am by no means attempting to come off as the feminist dragon-slayer, i am just analyzing! i am curious as to what the term 'independent' has boiled down to. i suppose an independent woman in the 50's would claim her independence as being the mother hen of the home - because let's face it gents, i'd love to see you scrub a toilet with pearls on!
she is constantly making sure the roost is tidy, dishes are washed, food is prepared and her hair and make-up are in prestine condition upon her husband's arrival. no big deal.
it's amusing to see how back in the 50's, a woman couldn't possibly handle a "normal" job, and alas, a man could not handle cooking and cleaning. could this be defined as independence? the answer is obsolete. but it does enlighten me...
my independence, aside from dancing, attending school and working 3 jobs, is knowing that i get to spend the money i earn. i call the shots, i buy the dress, i drink the drinks. afterall, the general term of independence is really just freedom, right?
the thought running around in my head is that of society's definition of an 'independent woman' (circa present day.) i have spent the better part of the last 7 days watching the "I Love Lucy" DVDs my fabulous bosses surprised me with. [as many of you may know via Facebook, some exciting and life-changing events are happening on the subject of Lucy Ricardo, but we will keep that subject under lock and key for now!] needless to say, i have been observing the role of a woman from the 50's and comparing her to the role of a woman today.
many who will read this might question my motives, so please keep in mind that i am by no means attempting to come off as the feminist dragon-slayer, i am just analyzing! i am curious as to what the term 'independent' has boiled down to. i suppose an independent woman in the 50's would claim her independence as being the mother hen of the home - because let's face it gents, i'd love to see you scrub a toilet with pearls on!
she is constantly making sure the roost is tidy, dishes are washed, food is prepared and her hair and make-up are in prestine condition upon her husband's arrival. no big deal.
there is an "I Love Lucy" episode i have come to fancy called "Job Switching," where Lucy and Ethel trade places with Ricky and Fred. the women go out and get jobs while the men stay home and play housewife. *if you haven't seen this classic, find it and watch it!
needless to say, both sexes fail miserably at doing the other's dirty work, literally. although, i do appreciate the fact that when they decide to switch back to the original label of husband and wife, Ricky has no problem mentioning, "I want to go back to making the money and letting you spend it...." ladies, this has changed a great deal today because in all honesty, i would lose my knickers if i found a guy willing to let me spend his hard-earned bacon! it's amusing to see how back in the 50's, a woman couldn't possibly handle a "normal" job, and alas, a man could not handle cooking and cleaning. could this be defined as independence? the answer is obsolete. but it does enlighten me...
my independence, aside from dancing, attending school and working 3 jobs, is knowing that i get to spend the money i earn. i call the shots, i buy the dress, i drink the drinks. afterall, the general term of independence is really just freedom, right?
The 50's compared to the modern world of 2011 is quite a different place as portrayed through new and old media as well as through the survivors of that time period. It almost seems a little magical to me. (Perhaps because my work tells me the magic began in 1955) But I really wonder how women must have felt then as they do now as far as a definition of independence is concerned. Television shows like "I Love Lucy" and nostalgic commercials portray a prototype of what society believed a woman should feel, say, and be. But clearly, not all women agreed, but alas had to accept and face. The freedom and independence you speak of was merely a hopeless dream through the eyes of stay home mothers. But through the hard work of feminists and many others alike, you are able to become your own "Miss Independent" to achieve and accomplish whatever you want it seems like. Is there anything our society today is holding you back from doing or perhaps is there a mindset that needs to be changed? From where women came to where they are now, do you feel they have reached "the destination" of feminism or are there still some areas of sexism that need to be stamped out?
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