The amazing thing about our generation is that we're growing up in a time where it is easier than ever to express ourselves and find out who we are, whatever that entails. Whether we're gay or straight or undecided; whether we want to be a boy or a girl or neither; whether we want to go to college or travel the world, we have the opportunity to fully explore our identities. That is something that past generations missed out on.
Now that isn't to say that past generations weren't genuinely happy. Some of the housewives of the 1950s were incredibly content with their lives and didn't want to live them any other way. The majority, on the other hand, were not content. They went through life serving others, trying to convince themselves that they were happy, that they didn't regret dropping out of college and forgetting their dreams, and that they absolutely loved carting their children around while getting nothing in return. That majority also struggled to fit themselves into a tiny box labeled "femininity". The idea that any woman would want to venture out of the house and be educated on the affairs of the outside world was considered unattractive; a waste of femininity. A woman who was unmarried or divorced, didn't have any children, or worked outside of the house was pitied for her masculine traits. What kind of woman couldn't keep a man? A true woman can keep her man. What kind of woman wouldn't want children? She must have a defect. A woman wanting to work outside of the house? Why? What could possibly be so good about the outside world that would want to leave the home? The kids? This fear of being seen as masculine or less feminine scared a lot of women into keeping quiet about their discontent with home life. I feel that in the greater scheme of things, those were lives wasted and unfulfilled.
I guess my point is that doing what makes us happiest is the most important part of life. A huge amount of women didn't live their lives happy as housewives and others did. I feel that proves that it isn't the occupation or the gender, or even societal rules that keep people from living the best life possible, it's the individual themself that decides if their own happiness is worthy or not.
I'll admit, I've been a bit negligent with the whole reflection bit of this assignment, but I feel the same as I did the first week. Friedan's writing style still isn't my cup of tea, but I'm better at reading it now. I've made a pretty good headway in my book, so everything is on schedule.
****Until Next Time.....