What can we do to help young women begin to realize their full potential?

Question

So many little girls and young women that I talk to still cannot seem to get past the notion that their sole goal in life is to look good so that they can find a man, marry him, and let him support them for the rest of their lives. My mother has always taught me to make sure that I have my own career and finances to fall back on BEFORE settling down with someone. I've also been told that I was "too pretty to be so smart" and other equally condescending paraphrases of that. How can we teach girls that "intelligent and successful" and "beautiful and sexy" are not mutually exclusive?

Sorry, I had to resubmit this question. I had a typo in the original one and it kind of made my whole question seem ironic. :)

To thaKing: Dream on, sweetheart.

Did I mention that my mother is a home-maker? And she is happy doing it. But she still wants me be sure of the choices that I make. Maybe I'll end up as a housewife. Who knows?

Answer 1

You can encourage them to get more education to find and pursue a career if the desire. What makes a woman with a good paying job better then a woman who does a good job of running a house and rasing kids. If both parents are worried about careers in the industry who raises the kids. Why does it seem now days people look down on women who want to raise a family? Maybe if more couples would pick one of the people to stay home with the kids we would have less messed up kids.

I agree with the smart and pretty not being exclusive. I also agree that if a woman wants a career they should be encouraged. I however see no reason to try to convince someone who wants a family that raising a family is something lesser then a good paying job.

I totally agree they should have skills to fall back on but there is no need to have a career if they want to be a home maker and have a good husband. Sure even if their goal is to have a family they still need to be able to support themselves until then. Also they should have some kind of skills in case something happens to their husband.

I would say encourage them to do good in school. Push them to get good grades and go to college. but If they want to raise a family there is no need to make them feel ashamed of that like many people today do. I think the country would be better with more people like that.

I also don't see anything wrong with a man being a house husband and rasing the kids if the wife as a better career. Careers are easier with a support system at home. Kids turn out better raised by parents who nurture them instead of day cares that keep them from hurting them self's while both parents are out earning money for more luxuries.

I though the women's rights movement was about giving women choices, not telling them all they have to be hard hitting business women. I think it is sad if really look down upon women who have different goals then you. Also trying to get them all to be like you and what a career is no different from saying they all should be house wives. Why are you trying to make them all like you and take away the choice?

Answer 2

Why does anyone need to use their full potential? I was ready to conquer the world. I was pretty, smoking hot, and very smart. The problem was everyone knew I was smart and pushed for great things. I guess I got scared and bolted. Twelve years later, I don't have a college degree, I work at Wal-Mart (where I'm constantly told I can do better or that I need to move up in the company), and I have three girls that I home school. I have no ambition what so ever. I just want to chill, but every time I go home family members tell me I need to finish college. My uncle tells me I'm too smart to waste my time on doing nothing. But, I like doing nothing. Why do I have to do something just because I can absorb and regurgitate advanced chemical calculations? I settled down first. My girls are getting older and I've decided now is the time to take a few classes. Maybe this will show them that you can do what ever you want as a woman. I don't have to do what every one else considers the path to success. I can do what ever pleases me and gives ME self worth.

Answer 3

We need to make people understand that women are not objects. Stop with the idiot magazines and models who are paper thin. Eat something! It's the tv shows that seem to think only the thin, pretty girls can get the guy. I like British TV because the actors are more realistic. How about music and all those shakin' booties? Is that all a women is? A piece of a**? Turn off the TV, don't buy the magazines, and take your girls to the museum.

Answer 4

Maybe by joining together women can finally discover just how much they really can do. I'm not suggesting lesbianism but i do know that many men still believe that a womans place is in the home. And thats just not true. Especially considering that as a young woman, the majority of young men i know are not as intelligent as the women. Perhaps only age will help these girls understand.

Answer 5

Education. If we provide young girls (and boys, too) with a good education, they will realize on their own that their intelligence is more important than being a "good girl" stay-at-home-mom with a working husband and 2.5 kids. Of course, that's a fine goal if it's truly your choice, but many women are brainwashed by society to think that they want that life when they would be much happier with a good education and fulfilling career. Making sure that women are educated well will make them more able to decide for themselves what they want.

Answer 6

OMG... you could not have reduce this down a little bit might you? I learn what I might however geez, you 2 are an excessive amount of. She is 50 and this KID is in his 20's. Come on, get truly. You have got to break out from her and allow her make up her flippin brain earlier than you committ to her. She is definitely oversexed. Any girl that age (and I am THAT age!) who's even remotely curious about a man who might be her son is wanting greater than a manogamous courting. You sound beautiful honest however you're manner too "expertise" of her off n on want for this different man or woman........ well success!

Answer 7

Wouldn't it also be condescending to tell them that having a career soley as a wife and mother was somehow less than what your doing? Perhaps to them, that in itself is fullfilling. I am all for equal opportunity for everyone and helping everyone acheive their goals. However, if their goals are not the same as mine, that is still what they want out of life and we should respect that and not tell them "but you could do so much more".
That is condescending.

Answer 8

Let's start a re-educate girls program. The women's movement ended in the 70's and we need to start another one.
We waste a lot of time in school teaching them things that don't really mean much. You have to start with Big Sister's programs, as well as other programs that shine a light on women who have made something of themselves. A lot of girls apparently don't have strong female role models and instead of girls doing everything to prove themselves worthy of a man, they need to focus on their self-esteem. You can't be good for anyone unless you are good with yourself first.

Answer 9

Good luck.

I had two wives, deceased. No drunken sailor would have been a match for either.
We worked together in our own business. Tough as nails.

On the other hand, no woman could more effeminate than either one.

Both were top class dolls.

You go girl!

Answer 10

By getting rid of the things that make them exclusive. For example: Paris Hilton. She's regarded as pretty (although i dont think so) but you know that there isn't much up there.