This I Believe

Independent Women

I believe the expectations of women in today’s society versus past generations develop stronger and more independent women. Typical housewives have evolved into writers, actresses, and doctors to accomplish unbelievable tasks. With women holding these high paying jobs, men respect their hard work and dedication. Families are more financially stable; therefore, bills, vacations, and raising children become less hassle.

Earlier generations viewed women to be weak. Only men were allowed to hold industrial occupations. As young girls, elder women taught them that their place would always be in the home. Girls attended school, but not as long as the boys did. Most teenage girls did not finish high school when a lot of boys were graduating high school, and some young men even went on to attend college. During school as well as at home, teenage girls learned the responsibilities of tending to a house such as cooking, cleaning, and sewing. Many married between the ages of fourteen and seventeen. Also, it seemed common for their husbands to be several years older than them. With these lessons being taught, the only dreams that young women reached for was marriage and raising a family.

In today’s society, the lessons of life seem to be more fulfilling and worth dreaming about. From kindergarten to twelfth grade, teachers propose education as the answer to accomplishing great things. Most young men and women concentrate on being independent and making their own money rather than dwelling on someone else to make ends meet. I believe the lessons being taught to young women today have developed stronger individuals and society as a whole. Today, people view women for their intelligence and hardworking occupations. Also, marriages do not last like those of past generations. Divorce is extremely common. Plenty of single mothers exist and work because they have responsibilities. I know several single mothers who haven taken what spare time they have to attend school in order to receive a degree in a career that pays well. Now, women dream of a higher education and being able to make it on their own.

I strongly believe that women are a lot stronger today because I was raised by a single mother. Over the years, I have listened to my grandmother’s stories on being a housewife, and I know that my mother and I could have never made it if the only aspirations she had was to be a housewife. I love and respect my mother unconditionally and part of that comes from the hardships I have seen her overcome. Her independence and wit taught me to not depend on anyone. She showed me how important an education is and to never settle with second best.

My belief in the importance of independent women comes from years of watching women fall and overcome obstacles. Women are taught today to depend on themselves, and because of this they are highly respected. Also, women develop a physical and mental strength that only builds to their confidence. Independent women do not just dream; they stop at nothing to make them reality.