How women’s single-hood is made oppressive by the society

Today’s topic addresses unfounded ideology that SINGLE LADIES have no responsibility. This is something two acquaintances pronounced emphatically last week. I was thoroughly aghast by this statement and truly tried to explain why it is an incorrect notion but they instead expanded on their theory.  According to them, a lady is only responsible when she has a family (an immediate) to cater for but when she’s without one, she has no real obligation. From this conversation, I imagined how ‘single ladies’ must feel amidst their married friends, acquaintances, siblings and/or colleagues especially when discussing  activities involving their spouse and children. I feel single ladies may have little to say or not even allowed to contribute to such conversation because they have no babies to ooh and aah about or a spouse to complain about. And they are not even allowed to complain in peace about other problems just because it does not fit into a wifehood or motherhood typical problems. This is an oppressive ideology that forces single ladies to consider starting a family and seen as finally fulfilling a responsible stance in the society.  I would end with this: women are women in their own rights and have varying responsibilities either to self or others in their various spaces. They do not need people to decide what statutory position they need to occupy to be called responsible. The next time anyone tries to discredit your existence and person based on your (in)marital status, feel free to lecture their ignorant mind while reminding them that they have no say in your life. Happy IWD!