Being a Woman… Something I HATE to love

Being a woman is wonderful… but at the same time one of the most difficult things in the world. Honestly. I might sound like I’m exaggerating, but it truly is. There is so much that goes into being a woman… yet alone being a proper woman!

In the story Bodies That Matter: On the Discursive Limits of “Sex”, the author Judith Butler speaks on how norms were created to materialize the human body’s sex. Butler speaks on 5 important keys to show how power is stamped into the idea of the human bodies depending on their “sex.” Those 5 key points are

1. Time table

2. “Time controls the body”

3. Body gesture correlation

4. Body object articulation

5. “Natural and organic”

Now some people do say “well none of that really matters”, but sadly in the real world it does. Being a female has made me realize women don’t get treated equally to men, and never have. Using these 5 key points I will show you how Judith butler’s key points relate to my life.

Key Point #1- Time Table.

Time table represents how much a human’s time is worth… and sadly being a woman the United States has told me that my time is only worth 79 cents to a man’s dollar. Sadly, we live in a world where a woman can have the same degree, same experience, same qualifications, but not make the same amount of pay. So yes, as a woman, it is frustrating knowing that in 2016, women are still not treated as equals.

Key Point #2- “Time controls the body”

This key point refers to the time consuming things genders do aside from the million other things they already have to do. Being a woman, some of those things are putting on makeup and doing our hair. Growing up, I always got told that I had to meet a certain expectation so the “boys can like me”. I was constantly told that I HAVE to wear makeup to look “pretty” and have my hair done so guys I like can like me back. But in reality, doing my hair and makeup every morning is very time consuming… and well, I honestly love sleeping more!

Key point #3- Body gesture correlation

Body gesture correlation refers to the thought of “more space more power.” Now this might seem strange thinking of space as power, but a lot of people think this way. I have two brothers and growing up we would go on various road trips. Now everyone knows sitting in the back for road trips is the worse!!

Anyway, there was always no room and my two brothers felt as if it was acceptable to have their legs wide open and tell me to cross my legs and scoot over because I was “a girl.” And yes, even at a young age that led to so many arguments because I have always thought their argument was ridiculous.

Key point #4- Body object articulation

Out of all the key points this one annoys me the most because it is the one that I still haven’t been able to separate myself from. Growing up I was always called a “tomboy” — a female who enjoys doing “male” things such as Yes I have always enjoyed playing sports, getting dirty, and HATE wearing dresses and heels. But how does any of that make me less of a girl/woman? It shouldn’t. I’ve always enjoyed dressing comfortably but being myself becomes a problem when it comes to the professional world. Being a business major is difficult when it comes to working because of the appearance one has to keep. Professional dressed — slacks, a skirt, or a dress, with closed toe shoes, preferably heels. Now I don’t mind sometimes getting dressed up, don’t get me wrong, but the fact that 55% of interviewers say they hire based on how someone dresses say a lot. No one’s appearance should determine their work ethic.

Key point #5- “Natural and organic”

“Monkey see monkey do.” Well that famous catchphrase can apply to key point number 5. Being a woman I have always got told I have to look a certain way… and hearing it every day, at one point in life I believed it. I was never into makeup, doing my hair, so yes I BELIEVED THE LIES. I wasn’t “lady-like.” But honestly being “lady-like” all the time is exhausting. Always having to meet others expectations of what women should say, do, or act.

In no way am I bashing being a woman. I love being a woman. I just think it is very exhausting having to keep up with others expectations. Not every woman is alike and that is okay. We all look different, do different things, and believe different things… so why should we all be labeled by what others expect women to be? We shouldn’t! Honestly, separating myself from the ideas of what a woman should be has truly made me a super happy person.