What makes a woman a woman? Who was it that said a woman wasn't a woman if she didn't wear women's clothing? If a woman didn't look at magazines so that she could shop for more decorations, clothing, or furniture, would she not be feminine?Why do some women feel the obligation to decorate and wear frilly dresses?What makes a woman a woman? Is it how she cares for her hair? Whether or not she wears make-up and nail polish? What about her catty and very manipulative ways?Women are the people of the world who mother their children, give birth, suffer monthly, and can out wit most men. Whether she holds her hands daintily when doing anything or decorates every room in florals and lace, that does not make a woman a woman.Some women feel compelled to be what we have made a woman to be. Make-up. Dresses. Shopping. Having children. Cooking. And if women are not born to do these things, then why do we do them? Because we are women? Or because we enjoy doing them? Perhaps it's even because no one else would do it? Wouldn't that all coincide with natural instincts?Why is a woman a *itch if she is firm, business-like, clever, witty and precise but a man is smart and business savvy if he is?Wonder if a woman has no breasts? No femininity?What is a woman?
My parents thought for sure that I would be a girl since they already had two boys. They even had a girl's name picked for me. It matters not. I must say that I am a huge fan of "woman" and I do love what you wrote here, Brittany Renée. Merci. Amour et paix,
moi (Régis)
Reviewed by nancy weston (Reader)
Reviewed on November 21, 2006
Women are all and nothing, light and dark.
We are what we are and always beautiful xx
You bring up many important points:what is feminity;is it subscribing to beauty magazines or a fragrance ..I think being a female is about being happy and feeling complete ,not burdenned by society or "the dogmas" it sends out : such as "You have to manicure, You have to exercice,You have to let your hair down at a party,You have to be motherly towards X..Age can also be a factor :a woman of forty will have a stronger character and more self-assurance than a teenager on the brink of womanhood.I really enjoyed your article and you're right.In this day and age, numerous questions have to be brought to light..Anne pawlak.
Reviewed by Carol Chapman (Reader)
Reviewed on January 24, 2004
You've touched on some fundamental questions about what is true female and what is true male. Or is there a difference other than in our perceptions of roles for each? I enjoyed this, but would also love to see you expand on the subject. Maybe even go on to What is a man? You ask all the right questions, maybe doing the man right after the woman would bring into stark awareness the issue of who has the right to answer these questions.
Yes, it is a fascinating question. I enjoyed reading your essay.
I must say, though, that it would be much stronger without the line about women being able to outwit most men. To me, that doesn't come across as strong and self-respecting. It comes across as defensive and insecure.
It's up to us to change the view people have of women. Including how women see other women. I like this piece but it seems somewhat fragmented. I think it would be great to expand on it and correct the spacing and spelling errors so that it is easier to read. Great potential. Please keep writing about this issue.
Brittany, Nice question. This is a question that I have been asked to ponder in several classes now (especially the American Female Writers class that I'm currently in). You bring up a lot of good points and I would say that a lot of what our society views as a "woman" would really be what our society has determined what a woman should be. We see in the present that the traditional roles of both women and men are changing and likewise I think that what will constitute a "woman" in society's eyes will change with it, although that overall perception may take some time to adapt. Nice article and I like how you leave the question open as if to open up the subject for discussion and leave the options of viewpoint up to the reader. Nice work. J.
Reviewed by Robert Blackwell (Reader)
Reviewed on June 2, 2003
I have always felt that a woman is a woman not from the form of her figure, but the core of her being. Thank you for this article.
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moi (Régis)
We are what we are and always beautiful xx
Carol
I must say, though, that it would be much stronger without the line about women being able to outwit most men. To me, that doesn't come across as strong and self-respecting. It comes across as defensive and insecure.
Or maybe I am just oversensitive. :)
Keep writing!