The Weaker Vessel

It is a well-accepted notion that women are weaker than men. Brace yourselves: that is not entirely true. I have a lot to lose here - this post will almost certainly undermine my esteem in the Fraternity of Men, or cause me to lose my elite membership status all-together. However, I cannot concern myself with such trivial things. I am a blogger, and with that comes the responsibility to speak the truth as I see it. Plus, this post is going to score me MAJOR points with the misses!

There are certainly reasons for us to believe this untruth. We all know that much of our society is built on Jude0-Christian traditions that make men superior. We all know that men are physically stronger, and have historically been viewed as the more capable leaders in society and in the home. It's hard to argue with male's successful track record: generations of global war and strife, economic inequality, political oppression, wanton destruction and consumption of natural resources. Am I the only man who thinks that maybe being physically strong and aggressive isn't enough?

My point here is that this shouldn't be a winner-take-all conversation about superiority. Men and women are just different, and those differences are the primary reason why we are equal. It's why healthy marriages are the foundation of our society. We balance each other out, and benefit from the wise council of our mate. The whole systems goes awry when we enter our relationships, our workplace, and our politics with pre-conceived notions of gender roles. Personally, I think we need more of the compassion and empathy that are the hallmark of women's so-called weakness. Would we be fighting in Iraq, and leave Darfur and Tibet in conflict? Would AIDS, poverty and violence be such epidemics?

Here's to the women of the world, whose indomitable strength is made manifest via the constant struggle to thrive in a world that does not honor your nobility. For the homemakers, and single mothers whose work is never done. For the wives who lead with grace, patience, and tenderness. For the working women who do a little more to pierce the glass ceiling. For young girls growing up in a world that demeans and confines you. A day may come when we men are ready to loosen our tightly held grip on the reins of the world. Until then, Be Strong.