Womanhood

Multifaceted, Expectations, Dos and Don’ts, Worth, The Capable Sex, Know Thy Self

I.

Multifaceted

A woman is biological, historical, cultural, political, social, personal.

Biology: The dictionary definition for a woman is an adult female person. This typically means XX chromosomes, female reproductive systems, and a feminine physique. Biologically, women have been differentiated from men based on genetics and anatomy.

History: The word “woman” originates from combining the words “wife” and “man.” In fact, before the word “woman” became customary, an adult female used to be called a “wifman.” Throughout history, women were treated as subordinate to, or property of, men. Aristotle once described women as “mutilated men”—suggesting they were the biologically weaker sex.

Culture: While the cultural perception of women varies across cultures, in Western contexts, women have often been depicted in dualist extremes— either saintly (e.g., Virgin Mary) or sinful (e.g., Eve). Over time, feminism has reshaped these narratives: from the domestic 1950s housewife to the liberated 1980s career woman. Today, conversations around gender fluidity and intersectionality further complicate the matter.

Politics: Depending on the system she lives under, a woman is whatever the system says she is: a citizen, a threat, a resource, a statistic. In early democracies, women were excluded from politics—they had no voice or vote. In monarchies, women’s political power was contingent upon their proximity to patriarchy—as queens, regents, or noble wives. Today, women and men have equal rights on paper, but the reality of equality is still a work in progress.

Social: The domestic 1950s housewife was the homemaker, bread-baker, kid-raiser, and husband-anchor. She was agreeable, ladylike, motherly, married. Today, while those expectations persist, women are also urged to be entrepreneurs, influencers, crusaders, and trailblazers.

Personal: At her core, a woman is whoever she chooses to be, not what is expected of her. She’s resilient, versatile, powerful, exceptional.

II.

Expectations

Be the perfect wife, mother, and career woman.

Pursue success, strength, and independence.

Sacrifice your time, your dreams, your body.

Act agreeable, caring, and accommodating.

Put family, colleagues, and others first.

Face harassment, bias, and pay gaps.

Stay slim, sophisticated, and young.

Tolerate, endure, smile.

III.

Dos and Don’ts

Have opinions, but don’t be too opinionated.

Raise children, but don’t leave your job.

Stay informed, but don’t get political.

Cater to others, but don’t complain.

Look sexy, but don’t seek attention.

Be smart, but don’t be a smartass.

Eat well, but don’t eat too much.

Achieve, but don’t intimidate.

Grow up, but don’t grow old.

Lead, but don’t be bossy.

Embrace womanhood, but don’t defy expectations.

IV.

Worth

A woman’s worth isn’t hinged on fertility

or humility

or docility

or civility

or utility.

All a woman needs to be is herself—

to the best of her ability.

V.

The Capable Sex

The idea that women are “The Weaker Sex” has no support in scientific fact. Quite the contrary. There is every evidence that women are biologically more able to stand physical and psychological stress than are men.

John. A Schindler, M.D., Woman’s Guide to Better Living (1957)

While calling women “mutilated men” wasn’t exactly the kindest way to describe the second sex, Aristotle did have some positive things to say about women—namely, that they have a greater capacity for rational learning, are more strategic, are more thoughtful in child-rearing, and have a superior memory. Women, he noted, naturally embody the virtue of prudence—the “mother” of all virtues.

While society sets some heavy expectations upon women, I say to hell with them. The only expectations women should pursue are those they set for themselves. And they have every reason to set the bar high. If you want to be a mother and a manager, do it. If you want to be a wife and a writer, do it. If you want to be an entrepreneur and educator and explorer, do it. If you want to inspire and influence and invent, fucking do it. Do what you want, do epic shit, and defy the drab expectations laid out for you.

When a woman channels her creativity, invests effort in her ideas, and uses her talents to shape the world around her, she won’t be confined to the life others expect for her—she’ll design one that’s rich with purpose and meaning.

She can be Marie Curie: the two-time Nobel-prize winning scientist and widowed mother of two who revolutionized atomic physics.

She can be Harriet Tubman: the nurse, scout, and spy who led her people to freedom, commanded an armed Civil War expedition, and built a family through remarriage and adoption.

She can be Ada Lovelace: the world’s first programmer and mother of three who predicted that computers would one day manipulate symbols, compose music, and create art.

She can be Elizabeth I of England: the self-reliant Virgin Queen who ruled independently for 44 years, navigating wars, religious turmoil, and economic transformation.

Every issue features a bonus idea for paid subscribers and referrers who make this publication possible.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting my ideas.

+I.

Know Thy Self

Self-knowledge is no guarantee of happiness, but it is on the side of happiness and can supply the courage to fight for it.

Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex (1949)

Women (and men) are happiest when they’re taking action towards their life’s vision. But not just any old action will do. Only when we unite our thoughts, words, and actions around our highest calling do we feel most fulfilled.