My father was born in the mid-1930's, which was not exactly a big women's equality time. In fact, it was in the middle of the Depression and the last thing on most people's minds was whether or not a woman had equal rights or whether they could be successful in the business world. He was also born in southern Mississippi, which was definitely not kind toward independent women. He and my mother were married in 1958, which, again, was not exactly a time of equality since most women were housewives.
I was born almost 9 months after my parents wedding night at the end of 1958. I was raised, obviously, during the 1960's when women were beginning to make noise about equality. My Dad raised me to be independent, go after what I wanted and determine to succeed, always do my best and when playing a game, play to win!
My Dad never once told me or inferred to me that I couldn't do something because I was female. It never dawned on me that I wasn't just as good as any male on earth. I just wish my Dad had taught that truth to the males of the world because a lot of them over the years seem to have had a challenge dealing with someone like me because I've never seen myself inferior to any man. I still don't and never will.
I'm still trying to figure out why so many males seem to think that having a penis makes them superior. I realize that a lot of the younger men out there know better at least to some degree. But the older group born in my era and before, still seem to have this challenge.
I guess I really have an issue with it working where I do because the company is owned and run by men from the middle east. Their perspective is that women should be seen and not heard.
Anyway, my point is that if it weren't for my father raising me to be a person and not focused on my sex, I probably wouldn't be the woman I am now and I'm pretty happy with who I am. I'm glad I'm independent and strong and able to take care of myself. My youngest sister is just as independent and able. In fact, she's helped take care of most of our family over the past twenty years since the IRS stole everything from my Dad. I'm very proud of her and love her dearly. And, I'm grateful to my father for raising us to never see ourselves as less than men. It's not that he focused on that issue, he just never treated us as less important or less intelligent because we were female. And, I'm thankful!
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Comments: 11
The first girl I ever kissed (in the mid 1950's) mother was an engineer for General Dynamics. Keep in mind that this was considered at the time to be a man's job. I know she didn't pull in the same salary as my father (also an engineer there). This made a life-long impression on me that a woman can do anything that a man can.
After I entered the workforce, I tried hiring women, but was constantly shot down my management. I have been a feminist (even if male) since before 1960.
Since I moved down south. I have seen many attitudes where wives should be at home and not seen. Where men are the rulers, tell the woman what she can and can't do. It drives me nuts watching a woman asking her husband if she can go to the store....but than she has to take teh kids to.....sorry but it bugs me.