A Woman's Worth

A woman’s self-image is often defined by who and what is around her. Women do not see themselves as who they are but they do see themselves as how others perceive them as well as how society expects them to be. From body shape, hair color, make up, and more, it is all claimed to be decided by society and a woman just meets these standards as such. A woman’s perception starts within her. It begins with her soul as well as her own self-assurance and continues to radiate throughout.

We as people decide who and what we are. Some may have less self-esteem, but that would be why they give into bullying and others perceptions causing them to think less of their selves.

“Others do not define me, I am me.” -ALL

Like in the poem by Marge Piercy, “Barbie Doll”, a woman’s self-image often begins at a very young age. Parents giving their little girls “dolls that did pee-pee and miniature GE stoves and irons and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy” shows the expectations of what they feel a girl should be playing with and surrounded by. Girls are often treated differently than boys due to gender differences. Girls are to be given kitchen sets, Barbie dolls, baby dolls, and pink clothing. Boys are often given drills, cars, and trains to establish where it is society feels a male and female should be. Giving a little girl a vanity set so she can brush her hair and put on play makeup is often just play, but it gives the little girls a mind set of outer beauty being more important than their inner beauty at such a young age.

Little girls are often criticized for how they dress and the way their hair will lay. They often begin to subject themselves to the opinions and disregard of others, constantly having to defend why they do the things they do and often second guessing themselves because of what others are saying. In actuality, they are beginning to see who they are or what they are. They assume they form opinions based upon what others are saying but to be honest, we have an opinion of ourselves already in place. Depending upon how strong willed the girl is will define whether or not she subjects herself to others opinions. Then puberty comes…

When a young lady hits puberty, it is a time of joyous wonder. A time where a child becomes a woman. The body will change inside and out. She is now soft and curvy; an exquisite example of what perfection is from God. Men are to worship her and yet, at such a young age, she is not sure of herself, nor does she understand just yet what all of these bodily and mental changes are for. She isn’t aware yet that she is now able to bear a child, producing hormones to attract the opposite sex. She is capable of many things and she is to be the Queen of herself.

Most young ladies are influenced to love themselves early and then will form their own opinion. Fun and vibrant, they love themselves as well as what they stand for. They know that they are capable of many things and are to be cherished. A woman’s worth cannot be defined by what another says, instead by how she feels.

Unlike in the story of “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, where the husband had chosen his wife from her family, women are not often chosen by their husbands. They choose their partners and the timing they feel is best to become one with them. Women search for their soulmate, they do not allow someone to “own” them. Nor do they allow another person to define who they are. A woman knows her worth and isn’t afraid to show it.

Women will receive as much education as possible. They like to grow their minds as well as their social status at a young age and continue on into their late 20s. We prefer to have as much knowledge as we can possibly obtain so that when we enter the world, we can do so full force without needing the help of others.

Women are very strong individuals and often have a strong will to succeed independently.

“Women who live alone are more likely to succeed at work.” -Alexia Bullard.

A strong woman doesn’t need a significant other to tell her how amazing she is like in the story of “The Birth-Mark,” where the wife at one time was very free spirited. Because of a simple imperfection on her cheek, she became very unsocial and unsure of herself due to how her husband reacted to this “mark.” After so long of dealing with his reactions she then became to hate the imperfection so much, she begged him to remove it no matter what the case would be. In the end, she lost her life. Although now in heaven, the moral of the story is to never be selfish enough to try and change your partner but to also never be so self-conscious to allow another person to define who you are just because of how you look. The wife of this story could have taken a different path but she lost herself.

“The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes; Because that’s the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides” is a quote from the poem “The Beauty of a Woman.” (Maya Angelou, Ralph Fenger, Audrey Hepburn & Sam Levenson)

Reflecting in this poem is how a woman’s soul is what leads to her heart, and her heart leads to her passion. A woman should never depend on the opinions of others to define who she is. She is capable of so many things that often she may be over looked. Others calling a woman “fat,” “ugly,” “disgusting,” "top heavy,” as well as many other insults, are just that: insults. They do not pertain to a woman’s passion, sympathy, self-worth, her mind, or her soul. They are just simple opinions of others who don’t matter.

“A lion never loses sleep over opinions of sheep.” -Unknown. An amazing and very true saying to live by.

In conclusion, a woman’s worth is not defined or expressed by what others see. It is, however, defined by what SHE sees. Only a woman can define who she is no one else can tell her otherwise. Those who allow others to define who they are, are simple minded and weak willed.

References

“Barbie Doll” poem by Marge Piercy

“The Birth-Mark” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story

“The Beauty of a Woman” Maya Angelou, Ralph Fenger, Audrey Hepburn & Sam Levenson

“Women Who Live Alone Are More Likely to Succeed at Work” Alexia Bullard