Being a feminist has always been something I’m proud of. I will always stand by being a feminist and point out that there should be a new norm where men and women can be equal in society. Hispanics have always had a certain mindset when it comes to the roles of men and women in a family. For example, women should clean and cook for her husband and take care of the children, while the men work hard to keep his family strong and stable. Though many family ideals have changed like in mine, where both my mother and father work just as hard to make our family great. But being a Hispanic feminist is something that is quite peculiar because everyone in our culture has a different mindset, some a modern one while others continue to think old school.
One of the main things I remember being told growing up was, “if you can’t cook or clean how do you expect to find a husband?”. Yes, some girls actually find that okay for their lifestyles and I do not judge them for their choices because if they were not forced by anyone to make that choice then they have the right to do as they please; but I, personally, do not want that. I shouldn’t have to worry about being single for the rest of my life just because I don’t like cleaning all the time or cooking. My future husband has to be my partner and as my partner we have to help one another in the things the other has no time to do, one can cook while the other cleans.
“You’re wearing too much makeup, guys don’t like that”. This is probably my least favorite phrase said to me. At many events people have told this to me, that if maybe I showed how I “really looked” a man will notice me. It makes no sense because I actually do not wear makeup for men, I wear it because I feel beautiful and it makes me happy. Half of the time men can’t even point out what foundation or eyeliner are, so why bother getting pretty for someone who won’t notice? There are many things us women do to make OURSELVES feel empowering, not because we think “hmm maybe he will like me in these heels”.
There are those who think that the only thing on a women’s calendar is to make babies as soon as we get married. Yes, that was an ideal years ago but this is a new era where women have other things in mind rather than just thinking about raising a family. I want to work and make my own money before even thinking of a family, I want to make something of myself and put all those years of education to test. Once I have succeeded and am comfortable with the life I am in, I will THINK about having a family. I am sure many other women think and have the same idea as I do. Women are not only child bearers; we are much more than that. We are lawyers, doctors, construction workers, singers, writers, teachers, scientists, mathematicians, and much more. Yes, being a full time mom is a job, but it’s not the only job.
These are some of the many comments I noticed told to me by family members, friends, and others. I know I am not the only one who is told these things, and I believe it’s time to change that ideal. In 2016 it is time to show what a new aged woman is. A woman is a strong human being just like a man. We can work hard and provide just as much as a man and no one is taking that away from us.
