Finding a balance

Nowadays 57% of all college students are women, but there is still some gender discrimination in universities. My husband and I are both in school and it can get difficult sometimes with a baby but we've been able to work it out so that he can watch her when I'm in school and vice versa but I've still had some difficulty with some professors. I had one professor tell me to drop his class because he didn't feel that I could do well in his class being a mother. I personally don't see how having a baby makes me a less capable student, but I've met quite a few people with that same opinion. I also recently met a couple that when they got married the husband asked his wife to drop out of school because his education was more important. He said that she didn't really need her degree anyways and that if things worked out she could study when he was done. But then he decided to go to law school and now they have a baby and it's been decided that she just wont get to finish her college education. These are obviously personal decisions of every person but I got the distinct feeling that she really wishes she could have finished school. I feel that an education helps everyone, whether you plan on working outside of the home or not. Even though men take on the role of the primary breadwinner, it does not make education unnecessary for women. I have met so many men who have been unable to find jobs in their careers in the hard economy and their wives are working full-time to support the family. I am studying translation, and I plan on continuing to work from the home once I graduate. And even if I didn't want to work after graduating, I don't think that makes my education obsolete. What do you think?

When is it enough?

While I was on campus I overheard a girl who was half my size talking about how she needed to lose weight. I couldn't help but think how ridiculous it is that no matter how skinny we are, it's never quite skinny enough. We all feel pressure in some way to be smaller. It is so difficult to be completely satisfied with our bodies. I've never been very skinny, it's just not my body type, and I don't think I ever can be very skinny. I've never been one to obsess about my weight but no matter how hard I try to be satisfied with where I'm at I'm unsatisfied when I look in the mirror and I feel self-conscious when I go out. I don't consider myself overweight but yet I still feel pressure to be thinner. It's not that anyone tells me I'm fat, it's just the standard that skinny is beautiful. My husband often tells that I am beautiful just the way I am, but society tells me something different. There is such an impossible standard set for women and I feel like all of us struggle or obsess about some part of our body. Even supermodel Cindy Crawford said, "I wish I looked like Cindy Crawford." Now that we have begun December, this is the time when people most obsess about body image. Christmas brings sweets and so often we actually feel guilty, like we're breaking some law by indulging. New Year's comes around and everyone is putting goals for the new year, many of which include losing weight. So, rather than getting caught up in the hype of the season, I nominate this month as feel good about yourself month. Whoever you are, you are perfect just the way that you are. When someone compliments you, accept it and believe it. Don't stress about your weight or your looks, because being skinny does not make you any happier. It's hard, but lets find a way to drown out the voice that tells us to change. What ideas do you have about how to be satisfied with your body?
I invite you to watch this funny commercial by Special K that talks about this exact issue. Happy feel good about yourself month!

double standards

I was watching a sitcom the other day and it was the stereotypical scene of the Father in the living room on the couch and the Mother in the kitchen. I hear so often the comments that "It's my day off" or "I need some down time" as excuses while men watch TV or video games. I understand the need for some down time and I don't blame them for that, but I can't help but wonder: when is my day off? There is never a day off from dishes, or laundry or cooking. There is never a day off from children. I love my daughter and I am fine with cleaning, but sometimes it would be nice to have a break. Why is it that women spend their free time cleaning or cooking while men get to their spend their free time playing? And then when we finally get a few moments to get out of the house or spend time with a friend, women often feel like children who can only go out after making sure their chores are done. Even the greatest men who view their wives as equal are often subject to this double standard. Has anyone seen this in their own life or the lives of others? Is it okay? Any ideas on how we can remedy this?