The women fighters in the past have changed the women of today. They have enlightened the minds and given way to a better understanding of every woman’s dignity and right. Contemporary thinking would deem it true, yet again, not in all contexts, not in all societies. Cultural relativity renders homage to the functionality and reason of every custom of every people, viewing every mindset, ways, and choices a part of every living.
Women in the Philippines are the culprits of man’s subduing of society. Yes, the Philippines is a macho society, since time immemorial. Man has populated the corporation, the government. Though there may still be hints and glimpses of women in different areas and aspects of the every day living of Filipinos, the implicit practice given the patriarchal ideologies is still present. Fear as it may be on the very parts of the women that the family might disorient or come in pieces, still the idea of women trying to be that “woman” that man has imposed upon them is yet again lived up until this day.
It is an admittance that men may be physically advantaged to women, and that women need only do what they can do and never level with what men are capable of. Yet the blanket-philosophy that it follows in all aspects may be quite dissociated and spurious for the very matter at hand. It does not necessitate that women need only domesticated themselves and never actualize what is potential in them. It is an admittance that the role of men is to replenish the household of what is “need,” bountiful could it be if “want” be satiated. But never in this line of reasoning the idea that women are cast upon the shadows of man and of the household alone.
It is much of a wonder why my mother can do almost everything, from work to cooking, from foraging for the “needs” to simply talking to people in life’s survival, but still stays at home, admitting that she wants her family to be “okay.” I have always appreciated her embraced purpose in life for I have also benefited from this. I have lived a good, and cared of life. She has brought herself forth varying adversities, facing people and strangers alike just so to feed us. But yet again, surmising that the fullest of her life is in being a mother and a wife, alone. I have talked to her, several times as she had always opened up with me. And I found dreams, fantastic dreams she has kept for a quite a time.
It is often seen in the household that children and even husbands are not asked to wash dishes. Well, it is the “role” of women anyway. This role is also passed on to a daughter. Husbands and sons are pampered, not asked to wash their own clothes. This serves as a function, yes. I have talked to a few colleagues and even to my aunt, and they said that doing the “chores” gives them satisfaction. Well, this is the mental precept instilled upon them. But today, change has come upon. The egalitarian thought has been accommodated since the women heroes in the past. Yet again, the contrary is seen today. The supposed social order and novel coordination is deemed futile.
It is to my realization and observation that women of today have progressed in their principles. They think that once men hit them, it is high time for them to leave. I was gladdened by this. Even one aunt of mine has even shown her “woman” spirit by saying so. But still the practice of being the supposed “conforming” women is still lived today.
It is never my purpose to battle over men as it doesn’t serve any good. But I live in the purpose of dignifying human in all aspects. It is my goal to fortify the human in all humans. If he or she is ought to be rational, he or she has to be. Functions are the justification to every culture. But the mere blanketing, both in customs and thoughts can be un-dignifying.
I question why. I aim to let people realize. I do not want people to wash dishes every day. I just simply look up to a community where balance in mind and practice is present. Up until today, I am trying to understand my mom’s choice to be just at home. She is in struggle to live up to the imposed life. I think she is happy. But I just wanted her to do something more out of her life. I wanted her live in her own glories and miseries by which she made her choices with, not in those, which her choices depended upon what society, let her be.
I am in good light, in this writing, that women of tomorrow will live a different day. My words may resound that in the future, or that it may be different. There is always constant change. But it is still to my hope that women today will think, realize their being, their own “women.”
