In response to a post by 'Surfing...'

A recent post at "Surfing through a sea of the unknown" sparked so many thoughts.   For fear of  hijacking her comments section, I have posted my response here.  (It may help to read her 'A space to rant' post before this, in order to have things in context)

-  I am glad that, in our culture and time, the expectation that women have to be subject to the dominance of men is less than it is elsewhere and that it used to be here in the past.  That is not to say that it does not still exist, but I am glad that I am not forced by cultural expectations to stay at home and bring up a family, as would have been the case.  I have the option to work and also not to have children, if I so choose.  Equally, women still have the option of prioritising home and family if that is their choice (the problem of being told we can 'have it all' raises its head here, but that is another post entirely - and one I am far from qualified to write).

-  With regard to the biblical thing, it is true that certain passages  re: the role of women are open to abuse.  The thing is, just look at the fall in Genesis.  That is where inequality began, and it permeates through all of society - 'religion' included.  Jesus himself never treated women as second class, and that should be our template as Christians.

-  Surfing also wrote that "(women) don't get important roles".  I wonder how many women really think that. In my opinion, those who do have fallen into the male dominated trap of assuming that because something is 'traditionally female' it is therefore less valid.  That is one of the biggest lies perpetrated by men, and believed by many women.  Whilst I have no kids, for example, I cannot think of a job more hard and important than being a mother (being a dad comes a pretty close second, imho, but I feel that mums get it harder - possibly female bias there!)  Why should 'caring' (an example cited by Surfing) be less important?  It is certainly very different to more traditionally male roles, but certainly not 'less', surely?

-  Hmm, a rant which prompted a rant.  Glad that is off of my (very female) chest.