Western Communities and Gender Issues

As I read the stories of women across the span of the globe, I am disheartened at what so many women must endure. Women throughout the world must fight tooth and nail for basic rights to land, education, independence and freedom. I have a righteous indignation that it's 2014 and so many women are treated like property. I do feel fortunate that I do not face those challenges on a daily basis. Yet, I wonder how remnants of the past treatment of women (and current treatment in some places) ripples into the mainstream culture of the west.

Women are still objectified in places like Hooters, men's magazines that have a borderline pornographic element, and all over the silver screen of Hollywood. Yes, there has been a shift and women are changing the media, but perhaps it has become ingrained into each and every woman's brain.

How many men equate self worth with appearance or waist size? How many women feel that they have to fight the aging process so they can be loved, instead of letting nature take its course? How many times to women feel guilty, unwanted, not good enough?

The hardest part of being a woman in the west, is our own thoughts and insecurities. Opportunities exist for us. For the majority of us, we are doing well and have it all: great family, good job, sustainable finances. And yet, we still feel less-than.

Technology gives us power, helps us connect, but it also helps us compare ourselves to our friends and coworkers, and to celebrities. It can make us feel inferior. I'm tired of feeling inferior. We need to start using technology to connect with one another and celebrate the positive actions taken. We need to share stories, swap feelings, and liberate one another's burdens. We need to make a conscious effort to use technology for good, for example: support groups, advocacy, global campaigns, educations, awareness. We can do so much if we get out of our own way.

We need to rise above our own thoughts and prejudices against our selves. If we can't help ourselves, who can we help?
If only we could change our thinking and realize just how amazing, special and brilliant we are. We could change how feel, which in turn, impacts those around us. We just might change the world.