Culture says to do it all.
All of it. Constantly. Do it 24/7 and post about it on Facebook, too! This idea is particularly prevalent when it comes to women.
If you are not in a career, working out, volunteering, blogging, active on social media, raising meticulously delicious children, keeping a clean house, styling outrageously fashionable hair, participating in community events, handling finances well, AND staying emotionally stable... well by golly, something must be wrong with you!
Let me make a few points clear right from the get go.
1. I believe there is nothing wrong with women working.
2. I believe there is nothing wrong with women staying home and having kids (and subsequently not holding an official job).
Sometimes, discussing this topic can lead readers to believe the writer is for or against one or the other to a certain degree, so I figured I should clear the air on that one :)
Now, back to what I was saying!
THE MOTHER
Culture paints a very demeaning portrait of the woman who stays at home with the kids. Culture says this woman is not contributing to the income of the household, that she is 'wasting', that she is not making a name for herself.
Correction: this women is raising the next generation of human beings. She is raising human beings to love God, work hard, and help others. Truly, there is no profession more noble (or difficult!) than that of bringing up children and turning them in to responsible, God fearing adults. This woman shapes the world.
However, that being said, I also will say this: I believe women should not feel disgraced or less for not having children, either by choice or design. As I said, raising children is noble, but the lack of children is not evil.
THE HOMEMAKER
They say home is where the heart is, but it takes a special person to make a house (or apartment) a home! Let's face it. The majority of men would be living out of bleak and barely decorated housing with bleak and barely seasoned food if it were not for the ladies. KEEP IN MIND I SAID THE MAJORITY. Men are perfectly capable of cooking and cleaning and decorating, but women are more natural in this area by a majority.
Culture tells us that homes should be immaculate, well decorated, fashionably styled, and clean. But I ask you: how the heck can you run and maintain a home of such nature when you are running around like the apocalypse is on your heels due to work scheduling, children, weekly duties, etc?
Allow me to say this: being busy is a popular thing. It's cool these days. But I beg the woman of today to consider that maybe it is worth stepping back, if at all possible, to ensure the cleanliness and overall completeness of a home.
THE PROFESSIONAL
The working woman! From a personal stance, I find no fault in the working woman, following these conditions:
1. If she is married, her job does not consume her to the point of corroding her marriage relationship and her ability to take care of her husband and home.
2. It does not emotionally drain her to the point of lashing out irrationally at those around her.
3. The job is Biblical and does not force her to act in a way that goes against her beliefs.
Culture says have kids- and get a job, too! Because you are NOT successful and contributing if you do not hold a job and raise kids to boot.
Granted, some women are placed in circumstances that leave them faced to raise children and hold a job- be it they are single moms or the family income is not quite enough to fully support the family. If it is decided best for the woman to hold a job (for however long need be), so be it.
My main point being this: no woman should feel lessened for not being a human circus in terms of raising kids and holding a career/job.
THE ATHLETE
Anyone who knows me can say with great honesty that I firmly believe in staying active and healthy. It's refreshing, it's calming, it's good for you! However, culture puts up a very bitter stance when it comes to fitness and health. Be yourself and be beautiful the way you are... but also work your butt off every day and get in shape and get 6 PACK ABS, DOGONIT.
I say go for it. If you want to get in shape. Do it. My personal motto is, if you want to do it, find a way.
That being said, the way our culture goes out to 'just do it', usually leaves the family in shambles in one way or another. Because women are working so much, this leave work out times either very early or very late.
This, in turn, means that the kiddos get the bus or some other treatment, because mom is working out and doesn't have time for that. Or, kids get home from school (or dropped off at whatever activities they are doing), and don't see mom for a good long while, because she is at the gym.
Again, I believe everyone should have time to work out. But are you noticing a theme? How can a woman possibly be a do-it-all woman? How can you do everything 100% without something sacrificing a little? And why is it the things that sacrifice first are often the things that are so important?
THE LADY
I don't even need to go to far into describing this one. Culture says you should have flawless skin, beautiful hair, pedicured nails, dress well, etc etc. However, what the 'lady' looks like on the inside is very undersold. The do-it-all woman of today can swear, drink, gossip, slander, and give little to no benefit of the doubt in conversation.
I'm not saying I have never messed up, nor am I saying a true lady is perfect. I am simply pointing out how eager we are to spruce up our outer appearance, while letting our character drown in the modern female stress relief of today.
THE INTELLECTUAL
In addition to all the things listed thus far, let me add this: the do-it-all woman should be intelligent!
Book smart, money smart, people smart... you name it. I agree, this is a highly important skill. However, given the many other numerous things listed already, the read may agree that it will be difficult to find time to clip coupons, feel relaxed and able to converse with others respectfully, take time to learn things, and all around be an intellectual when one is flying about at a frenzied speed trying to accomplish all the previously listed things.
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT.
The amazing and lovely do-it-all woman. I personally do not strive to be the do-it-all woman. There are time in my life I will need to chase certain elements of this character more than others, however I refuse to kill myself in an effort to make the culture (and those so eager to grasp onto the ideals of the culture) happy. I will love and honor God first, love and respect my husband second, and love and respect myself third. I will not idolize the do-it-all woman, because the do-it-all woman is killing herself and most likely, harming those around her as well.
Do not be lazy, but do not be shamed into trying to fulfill the roles of too many.
As for me, I will be a do-it-well woman and leave the results up to God.
