This is a topic I have not seen touched on and I would truely like get an opinion on. Many of us are from different cultures, many of which historically do not treat women very well. Of course, on the surface, we say we have made great strides. I am very lucky in that I come from a long line of very strong (emotionally), highly educated women. It wasn't until I was in college that the idea of men and women being equal might not be the norm in many homes.
I saw a news story today where an organization has made a safe haven for arab women in the West Bank. In those countries women still do not have any rights at all. It got me to thinking about some women even in this country do not believe they have any rights. I know of one woman personally who is living a life of abuse. No matter what I say to her, she still believes her life is with her husband and ultimately must do as he says. This is not someone who comes from some 3rd world country. Nor is she from a culture that would have instilled this idea in her. She does lack education and will never get one. It is a very rough situation for me. I have to watch what I say. If I push to hard, she will have no one to talk to. I have gained her trust enough that she will call me just to talk it out when the drunken SOB is passed out. But what do you say? If she tries to leave he threatens her life. Cops have been brought in way too many times. I am godmother to her three boys and she has taken legal steps to insure that my husband and I get the boys should the unthinkable happen. I feel very helpless in this situation. All I feel I can do is to be there for her to listen. I rarely see her in person. But I know I am the only person she has to talk to. So, I listen.
I honestly didn't mean to dump all this on you. It kind of came out as I started writing. My real aim is to start a conversation on women existing in a man's world despite the so called great strides we have made. I am really interested in your thoughts on these issues (both men and women). Correct me if I am wrong (and I know you will - I count on it) but weren't women treated very poorly in early Hawaiian culture? Has it changed much? Of course I realize that education is everything. But what about those who have not had that opportunity?
I saw a news story today where an organization has made a safe haven for arab women in the West Bank. In those countries women still do not have any rights at all. It got me to thinking about some women even in this country do not believe they have any rights. I know of one woman personally who is living a life of abuse. No matter what I say to her, she still believes her life is with her husband and ultimately must do as he says. This is not someone who comes from some 3rd world country. Nor is she from a culture that would have instilled this idea in her. She does lack education and will never get one. It is a very rough situation for me. I have to watch what I say. If I push to hard, she will have no one to talk to. I have gained her trust enough that she will call me just to talk it out when the drunken SOB is passed out. But what do you say? If she tries to leave he threatens her life. Cops have been brought in way too many times. I am godmother to her three boys and she has taken legal steps to insure that my husband and I get the boys should the unthinkable happen. I feel very helpless in this situation. All I feel I can do is to be there for her to listen. I rarely see her in person. But I know I am the only person she has to talk to. So, I listen.
I honestly didn't mean to dump all this on you. It kind of came out as I started writing. My real aim is to start a conversation on women existing in a man's world despite the so called great strides we have made. I am really interested in your thoughts on these issues (both men and women). Correct me if I am wrong (and I know you will - I count on it) but weren't women treated very poorly in early Hawaiian culture? Has it changed much? Of course I realize that education is everything. But what about those who have not had that opportunity?
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