Sunday, September 25, 2005

I never thought I would say this but...



I think I may be a feminist. Perhaps a quiet feminist but a feminist none the less. Now I don't think I am second wave (that seems to be a 60's and 70's revolution thing) and the third wave seems to consist of those in their 20's and early 30's (and we all know I am on the sunny side of 40, yes?). So I am not sure exactly what I am and that's okay. I am not one to be pigeon holed. The point is I am finding it more and more difficult to teach my girls the importance of self. Self worth. Self love. Self assurance. Now without sounding too cliche, I am experiencing some difficulty finding good (great?) role models for my daughters. For those keeping track, I have three. Two of which are 13 and 16. Highly impressionable and easily influenced at this age. It's the total crap that they are watching, listening to and reading about. Reading about the drunken frivolity of this one, the "should never had been released" sex tape of this one (yes, that's her smoking a joint) and of course the list just goes on and on. I have never wanted to place my kids in a bubble but boy that big plastic dome is looking kinda good about now.

That's why I have this book on order. Of course I am going to read it. And maybe, if it helps get some of my points across, I'll be leaving it in places where they might pick it up. Maybe read it. And maybe understand. Maybe?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, I feel your pain - as a 26 year old I managed to get through my own teen years with good role models and a full-blown disdain for pop culture and all its ridiculousness. BUT I now have two step-daughters, currently 4 and 5, and they are already showing signs of being thoroughly enthralled with all of the above...
Try playing some "feminist" music for them - maybe if they like it, they will find out that not all female musicians are self-absorbed preening sluts... I know I just wasn't the same after Ani Difranco! And the same goes for movies (don't know if it is possible to get kids these days interested in people like Katherine Hepburn, but it might be worth a try...)
Best of luck to you, let us know how the battle ensues...

Justine said...

oh boy, this is a biggy (oops and from waaay back - yes I am a closet Fargo fan)
I don't know the answer, my kids are 14 to 19, and they seem to have come through ok,in this respect,they think Paris is a moron, they aren't prudes, but they are suitably modest.I think being a role model is a huge part, and you sound like a good one.Even if they slide for a while, if they have a solid base they will be fine.I used to leave Cynthia Heimel books lying around,now I can't find them cos the girls lend them to their friends!

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