I like this poem by Jocelyn Wright. I think it fits in with Katie's post on priorities. It also describes how some women see themselves. Does anyone agree with the ideas in this poem?
The Kitchen
The pressure...
The pressure is on to be
tall
thin
and blonde
To be worked out enough to be firm
But not muscle-y enough to be masculinely strong
To be demure and deferential when you tell a man he is wrong
To be coiffed and well groomed at all hours of the day
Women are still cooking in the pressure pot
Cause little girls are being raised to be hot hot hot
Getting physical
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Training sessions have been going really well these past few weeks. I
swim, lift, and run on my own (or with the masters swim team) during the
week, and o...
12 years ago
4 comments:
This little poem says a lot
Oh, I love this! I might have to share it in my writing class this summer! Do you know when it was written, Honor?
You know what pressure I feel? Not from my family or friends ... more from society. I feel pressure to get pregnant and have a baby. Like you said on the tough and buff blog, there is a negative stigma attached to married couples who choose not to have children (or who are waiting and wondering ...).
I haven't really run into any criticism in my work place; there are plenty of women in academia who choose not to have children because of time constraints, and those who do, don't put any pressure on the rest of us.
I do sometimes feel pressure at my church. People asking me, making comments about "when you have kids ..." And Trent has run into people at his work -- mostly stay-at-home-moms, who'd come out to talk to him while he worked on their lawns, asking him if he was married, if he had kids, and WHY NOT? Why don't you have kids, Trent?
I guess they were just trying to make conversation, but that kind of questioning kind of hacks me off. It's a little personal.
I know that the longer you wait, the harder it is to have kids. But we are definitely not ready now. And who knows if/when we will be. One of my colleagues had her first and only child at age 42. Others have had theirs in their late 30s. Why rush it?
I'll just deal with "the pressure" and maybe try to turn it into a positive thing ... teachable moments. I can show people in my actions, my faith, my choices that I am satisfied right now. Trent is my family. My Fiddler Kin are my family. I feel whole.
Social pressure should not be a reason to have a child. Each couple has to decide for themselves what is best for them. I think women and men are waiting longer to have children. The best thing you can do for a child is bring them into a welcoming, stable environment. I think you will know, Katie, when/if you are ready to do that. Your family is proud of your accomplishments and supports your personal decisions.
Thanks, Honor. :)
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