Maybe Enpowerment is Overrated

[pam_allah]

I remember having a drink with my last neighbor and her best friend as she was packing to move somewhere much more redneck than my neighborhood and the two of them were in awe of me. They couldn't seem to believe that I paid my bills, bought my house, got my job, and make my decisions entirely on my own. One of the ladies scraped by on the hand

Comments

[flyinglemurs]

I know just how you feel. A few things have come up lately that are a bit worrisome and all the more so for being on my own. But hearing what you said about these other ladies I feel somewhat accomplished too.

[pam_allah]

Oh yeah. When I remember that night, I know that, no matter what, things could be much much worse. I wasn't particularly proud of what I've done until then. I just thought I was putting one foot in front of the other and doing what I had to just to get by.

Who knew that we are role models and a source of inspiration? I have no idea where either of those ladies are now but I hope their situations have improved.

[gogleberry]

I still think you have it better than them.

[pam_allah]

Very very true. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes. I'm so lucky to come from a background that I wasn't made to feel that I needed someone else to push me around and tell me what to do.

[gogleberry]

exactly. and although it might be lonely at the top... you will find someone to ease the burden... friends can always TRY to help! :)

[pam_allah]

And they do. :) Feeling much much better today.

[twilight_crux]

I get tired of being alone too, because I really don't have any one to depend on either. I mean, I have my family and I'm grateful, but I can't cuddle for hours on end with my family after a really, really hard day.

But I'm not in those situations either. I watch one of my friends blindly throw herself repeatedly into bad relationships..not that they've all been abusive. She does it all the time, but I can see it coming...

I do believe we are better off.

[mustbrewer]

Thanks for the insight on role-modeling. I sometimes wonder what I have accomplished at the end of the day, when all I've done is to tred water. I guess tredding water is often an accomplishment in itself!
I was most taken by the hopelessness and lack of self esteem held by the women in your post. I may be displaying my ignorance, (it has often been noted that I am oblivious to most of what happens around me) but I would like to assume that such is not the norm for women in general. In fact in my fantasy of what is real, it is the very small minority.
It is documented that if you include emotional abuse in the definitions of marital abuse, that men are much more abused than women. Also, of the two, if a woman makes a threat to kill the guy, he is much more likely to end up dead. I guess I just don't understand the thought pattern of abuse.
Sorry to run on, I'll shut up now

[myritetodream]

I identify.

I agree.

I laughed and smiled while reading.

I'm so glad to know you, "statue of libery".

:) hehe