So as I sit here at nearly midnight working on yet more physics (just kill me now) I have various music floating in the background (yay pandora and youtube!). One of the songs I fell upon (and liked) was "Closer" by Kings of Leon, I love that band, which led to a flood of Twilight based fan videos (this saga has ruined several things for me, not the least of which is violent vampire stories...sparkling vamps, seriously? See, this is what happens when Anne Rice becomes a fanatical christian). Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good romance just as much as the next girl (though Edward is a bit of a pansy for my taste- give me a guy with a few scars for various fights, a checkered past, and a tendency to give in to his animalistic side...then again, I have detailed my demented attractions to men here. But I digress...), but these stories are just...ridiculous.
If I met a man who began telling me where I could or couldn't go, who I could and could not see, what I should do with my life, etc. you better believe his ass would be booted to the curb quicker than...well, I don't know what, but it would be really quick, let me assure you. Like I said before, I don't prefer pansies, I dish out a lot of shit (yes, I am a real gem) and any guy who doesn't stand up to me gets bulldozed over very quickly. But seriously, I am living my life, I have plans I am working toward (med school, etc.). What kind of dude just shows up and is like, "hey, I know you got your thing going on but I am super awesome (and sparkly too!), so why don't you just drop everything and become the perfect [read nausea inducing- seriously, do they need to embrace each time one of them leaves to go to the restroom or makes a sandwich in the next room?] couple. Oh yeah, and by the way, I will make decisions that I deem to be best for you without consulting you and then act on these decisions, again without consulting you."
I have nothing against women who are or want to be stay at home mothers/wives, that can be the toughest job out there and I give them props for it, they are stronger and more capable than I. But to feed our youth the idea that young women need to wait around for the guy to come before their life can really start is not only archaic but also unhealthy, for the individual and any relationships they might have in the future. Could you imagine being the dude who ends up with the woman who has no life outside of him? Eeeek! That might work for a vampire who has no job and all the time in the world to ponder the amazingness of their lover's eyelashes as they sleep, but for the average Joe who has other shit they need to take care of, that seems like it would be a pain in the neck. Worse yet, it tells women that any plans they had pre-guy weren't really all that valid or important and therefore can be discarded without a care.
I am sure my upbringing in a female dominated family effects my perceptions. As well as the fact that I have had my fair share of all-consuming relationships in the past (I am a sucker for a troubled bad boy who sucks you in and pulls you down with him), so I will not pretend to be unbiased. But why oh why can't we create stories for youth that show a push and pull between the sexes? A story that revels in that wonderful contrast (and value) between men and women and displays collaboration versus submission. I wonder if the popularity of this type of story becomes increasingly attractive to women as the economy becomes increasingly unstable/difficult... it would make sense, why try to conquer your problems yourself when you can just wait for a guy to do it?
Besides, as far as I am concerned, what is the fun in rolling over? If a guy (or anyone for that matter) wants to win a battle of the wills with me they'll have to work for it. Scratch that, they will have to work extremely hard for it. Nothing worth having is ever had through default or automatic submission. :-P
Update: Because I enjoy being thorough, here is an article in PsychologyToday.com by Regina Berreca that had me cracking up in the middle of the chem building lobby as I waited for my class to start.
