*“Thank you for not ------------------- .”*
The summer season inspires us to engage in many ritualistic activities. Memorial Day vacations, Forth of July celebrations, and graduation ceremonies inevitably cycle through the sticky months of June, July, and August. Just when we thought we were safe from the unfortunate epidemic of spring fever, people around this grand nation are ultimately plagued with a new danger: the wedding season. People in their twenties and thirties seem especially susceptible to this institutionalized disease. Despite climbing divorce rates and the normalization of prenuptial agreements, individuals stubbornly persist to search for the “Holy Grail” of relationships- the soul mate, the spouse, the “one true love.” But are we searching for the wrong thing?
I despise the conceptualization of a lover as “one’s other half.” It implicitly suggests that a person is “incomplete” or imperfect until he or she finds a mate. I’ve seen many smart and sexy women compromise their careers, friendships, and happiness in pursuit of romance. They would rather be in an unhealthy or stagnant relationship than be alone. But what is so bad about being single?
In reality, the “single woman” has acquired a notorious reputation. Like a broken toy or a benchwarmer, society has erroneously stereotyped single women as defunct beings, dangerous creatures, or old maids. This unfortunate labeling system is further complicated when women define their self-concepts through their romantic relationships. This mentality leads them to become dependent upon their significant other. We need to stop this.
In this entry, I would like to urge women to reappropriate the meaning of the “single woman.” Take control of your lives and embrace your own autonomous identities. I am not advocating women to give up their quest for "everlasting love." Marriage can be extremely fulfilling, and weddings are fun…but celebrating your identity as an independent and capable person is truly empowering.
*This article is a personal rant and does not reflect this Blog site’s actual theme.
I despise the conceptualization of a lover as “one’s other half.” It implicitly suggests that a person is “incomplete” or imperfect until he or she finds a mate. I’ve seen many smart and sexy women compromise their careers, friendships, and happiness in pursuit of romance. They would rather be in an unhealthy or stagnant relationship than be alone. But what is so bad about being single?
In reality, the “single woman” has acquired a notorious reputation. Like a broken toy or a benchwarmer, society has erroneously stereotyped single women as defunct beings, dangerous creatures, or old maids. This unfortunate labeling system is further complicated when women define their self-concepts through their romantic relationships. This mentality leads them to become dependent upon their significant other. We need to stop this.
In this entry, I would like to urge women to reappropriate the meaning of the “single woman.” Take control of your lives and embrace your own autonomous identities. I am not advocating women to give up their quest for "everlasting love." Marriage can be extremely fulfilling, and weddings are fun…but celebrating your identity as an independent and capable person is truly empowering.
*This article is a personal rant and does not reflect this Blog site’s actual theme.
posted by MDC Youth Rep at 1:36 AM
0 comments
