How Different Are We?

Women today have more in common with the “fallen” women we read about than I at first thought. The women in the texts are portrayed as criminals for doing things as relatively innocent as dozing off in church and going out at night. If the female population at TCU today were held to the same standards that the ministers in these times held the women to, we would all be hanging from the gallows.

Luckily women today differ from women in the past by being much more outspoken. The feminist movement has taught us that it is okay to voice our opinions and that it is unnecessary to live the submissive life of an obedient housewife. In addition, the feminist movement has also encouraged women to help break down the barrier between men and women not only in the business world, but in their social lives as well. Women desire equality to men and this is seen on any given Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night around campus. Women are more confident when approaching men and with their interactions between them. Surely the ministers would not approve of this blatant flirting.

I also began to wonder what these ministers would have thought of the celebrities and television shows that we idolize today. “Sex and the City” one of the most popular shows on television and a hit at the box office this summer, is all about women living independent, sexual lives in today’s society. The ministers would have been utterly disgusted and would have insisted these women repent their sins. Instead, today we celebrate their independent personalities and desire to have the confidence that they possess.

Obviously we no longer execute women for promiscuous behavior, however harsh consequences are still enforced. On TCU’s campus the most common form of punishment for this behavior is name calling. Women who do things that society decides is inappropriate are labeled “sluts” and “bitches”. The punishment is no longer life ending, however it can lead to a lifetime poor self-image and self-esteem.