We live in a country where marriages only make up 48% of households. In the United States, women now make up a larger percentage of the workforce than men. And slowly more women are joining the men in c-level positions. The world has changed. Yet a lot of the progress we have made as women is still overshadowed . Let’s look at television and two shows that I think have made a mockery of female strength and intelligence. Real Housewives, come on. Plastic, overly made up, lip injected women living off their overweight husbands. The Bachelorette, really? One woman who simultaneously “dates” 25 men all in hopes of ABC paying for her diamond. It’s my opinion that these shows contradict the message of female empowerment that we are trying instill in young girls today.
Thankfully in literature, there is a greater presence of strong female characters. And my latest novel is no exception. I found this quote so poignant that I actually underlined it. “A girl expecting rescue never learns to save herself. Even with the means, she’ll find her courage wanting. You must find your courage, learn to rescue yourself.” —The Forgotten Garden. Great quote right? Kate Morton perfectly describes what I believe every woman should learn to do. In life and love there is no lifeguard. It is my hope that every girl and woman will learn to stand on her own personally, emotionally and financially.
Coming from a total romantic this may sound a bit odd, but it’s my belief that you shouldn’t be in a relationship until you are completely content in being alone. I admit that I do hope for the head-over-heels love story. With that said, I have spent much of my “adult” life alone. So while I might not be a relationship guru, I am quite versed in the life of a single gal. And let me say, there is a confidence and self-respect that comes with knowing that you and only you is responsible for your happiness. I do think it is extremely hard to get to know yourself with someone always by your side. How do you know what is best for you if you are always thinking for two?