Thursday, October 28, 2004

Prince Charming

For years I've been thinking about all of the roles women in our society are supposed to play. We should be smart, but gracious; strong, but gentle; firm, but yielding; independent, but team players. Basically, we are supposed to be Cinderella - a hardworking, nurturing, domestic expert who never complains, and a beautiful, flawless, innocent temptress. It's a lot to live up to.

I wonder, though, if it's just as hard to be Prince Charming. Are those expectations just as unreal? We expect a "real man" to be strong, hardworking, handy, charming, and wealthy. He is supposed to be sensitive and intuitive, but must do so without revealing any emotions of his own. He is supposed to be there in an instant in times of trouble, solution in hand, sword drawn, ready to fight dragons, but isn't really necessary the rest of the time. (Except for the Royal Ball, of course.)

Maybe we should chuck both ideas and choose new role models. Or, maybe we should look to ourselves and not try to emulate others.

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