On Suffrage and Representation

Occasionally I get tired of all the things I am "supposed" to do and feel. It gets annoying being an enlightened, independent woman sometimes, ya know?

I am not supposed to obsess occasionally muse that it might be nice if I weren't single.
I should be STRONG and PROUD and SELF-SUFFICIENT.

Uh huh. I am.
But I do have a couple of friends who make me feel crappy about occasionally getting frustrated with this situation. It's annoying when you can't just be honest about how you're feeling, because you're scared of looking weak and needy.

I am not supposed to be content that with my current education and skills, I most likely won't have the opportunity to become much more upper administration than I am now.

I should be AMBITIOUS and MOTIVATED and want to be CHALLENGED .

Uh huh. But what about having a life? My last job dictated my existence to the point where even when I was out for fun, I was collecting business cards for potential clients, and I had to listen to certain radio stations at different times to monitor them, and I was called non-stop even when I was sick. I want a job. AND a life. I don't want the job to BE my life.

I should want kids. It's the most important thing that you can do.

Uh huh. It quite possibly is.
Or I can be an awesome "aunt" to everyone else's kids. I can appreciate them as the adorable little demons darlings that they are, and not compare them to my own. I want to be able to sleep-in, and use my money for me. And, as I've mentioned before - I'm pretty sure I'd be mean to any kids I had. We don't need another child on a waiting list for therapy do we?

I should know how to do home repairs and change my own oil etc. Don't propagate the stereotype.

Uh huh. Yeah, I should learn that. And I could also very flippantly mention that my hiring of brawny men to do this work for me contributes to the economy. But honestly? I simply am not interested in cars and home reno's and those kinds of things. I'm sure there's a need for people out there who can wrap presents into works of art or plans parties/showers/staggettes for all her friends whenever they need it. And if not, well then it's a good thing that I have a full-time job and contribute to society that way.

Sometimes being female, I feel like I have to represent.
Like the fact that we've traditionally been opressed by THE MAN means that I am obligated just by virtue of my gender to be an example, a modern-day suffragette.

But the thing is? I don't wanna. I don't want to have kids. I would like someone to fix that crack in the wall for me. I'm content being mid-level admin. I wouldn't mind being part of a couple.

I don't think this should make me a poor representation of our sex. Because isn't all this feminism battle mostly about choice? About the right for us to choose how we live our lives, and having the freedom to do so?

Well, I've chosen.