Issues Facing Modern Women

This is the fourth post in my mini series during Women's History Month. This post will touch upon more issues modern women face at work, on television, at home, or daily life. Besides these topics, the one issue most women face are "men". I say this not because I am a man hater or a man basher, it is because it is true. Let's face it, the world, if we stand as one group, will always have men in charge. It doesn't matter what color your skin is, the men in your "color" group will always have control. And although we have been there throughout history, giving a hand when needed, holding men up, and even leading men, we will still be considered second class citizens.

Let's take a look at more of the issues we face.

1. Domestic Goddess - If you haven't realized it yet, more women are working outside the home today than twenty year. But, and that is a big but (no pun intended), women still do all of or more than thier share of housework and child rearing. Yes, there are husbands who are fantastic with helping in the home, even quitting their jobs to do so if the wives make more money, but the majority of women still work outside and inside the home.

No matter how high we climb up the corporate ladder or whatever business we start, we are suppose to still be able to take care of the home and raise the children. Men are quite capable of doing these things. Take a look at the men on social media who are teaching each other how to deal with daughters - do hair, play with dolls, and even play sports. Anything we can do, they can do...maybe even better!

2. The Media - This is a no brainer! Everywhere you look, there are fashion magazines telling us being skinny is what is acceptable. Billboards with opportunities for plastic surgery to give you the perfect body are greeting you as you drive. Beauty items telling you to purchase the latest products to erase wrinkles flood television commercials. And my favorite, the quick and easy fitness equipment to flatten your stomach is all the rage.

One other thing we don't see on television, are women over the age of 50 in leading roles or anchors on the news. What, do we lose out beauty or intelligence at a certain age. Frankly, being a woman over 50, I believe I am still beautiful and intelligent. I still have much to offer.

The media is also doing us an injustice by blinding our young girls between the ages of 8 and 12 with these images. They grow up thinking this is what a "real" women is. It is our job to show them exactly who we truly are.

3. The Plexiglass Ceiling - I say plexiglass instead of glass because it seems as though we will never break it. Women helping other women. That should be our manta. Instead of getting in the corner office and then shutting the door on the other women looking for a helping hand is not what we should be doing. Our foremothers laid the groundwork for us to continue paving the road so that the future generations of women could continue to walk. Become a mentor. Start a women's group. Network. Do what it takes to help our daughters, sisters, granddaughters, and other women be the leader we know they can be.

if are wondering where to start, try reading the following books by some of the leading ladies in the industry:

On Becoming Fearless in Love, Work, and Life - Arianna Huffington

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead - Sheryl Sandberg

Knowing Your Value - Mika Brzezinski

There are many, many other books, but these are three I have read and highly recommend.

4. Racial and Gender Inequality - Black, Asian, Lesbian, Muslim, and Latino. These women groups have a high chance of being discriminated against than their white and straight sisters. In the fore-mentioned communities (not including Lesbians), we are raised to be seen and not heard. Or if we do work, then it is usually in a domesticated, food service, or some area of employment that is well below what we are capable of. Since our world has always been run by white males, they ten to promote those they are familiar with. It is time we show them what every women is capable of.

5. Violence and Sexual Talk Against Women - "Bitch, I'll slap the s&*t out of you!" "Yah boy, I'd hit that!" "Look at that ass!" "A girl ain't nothing in the bed if she don't suck your d$%k!"

These are just some of the things I have heard growing up. Its not correct when men say it, nor does it give women the right to be just as crude with their responses, on social media, or in the music industry.

Hitting a women because it is assumed she is the weaker sex is also wrong. More women in a same sex relationship are often abused. More women than young boys are sexually abused by someone they know. And just because a man does not hit a women, negative speech is still considered abuse. We should not let ourselves be in any of these situations. As women, we deserve just as much respect as men.

Despite all we have achieved, sexism is still strong today. We need to find ways as a group to fight back. Not with negativity, but with our achievements, our voices, our solidarity. Remember, as one, we are just a whisper. As two we are just a conversation, but as a group we are a gospel than can speak volumes to the masses.

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