Sunday, February 27, 2011

Mad Men

I have to admit, in the last few weeks I've gotten completely absorbed in Mad Men.

It's an incredibly delicious show.  While it's entertained me it's also gotten me thinking about women's roles, both in the 1960's and today.

It's great that women have more career options today than secretary, teacher, and nurse.  (But then can we really say it is great?  Shouldn't it have been that way all along?  Is it like saying, it's great that no one shot at me today?).

I wonder what we'll think 50 years from now looking back on today.  What subtler barriers will be broken between now and then.

Here's what I hope for:
I'm hoping for a major breakthrough when it comes to how women see themselves in relationships.  More girls will make it through adolescence with their self-esteem sturdy, knowing that the real truth is that they can call the shots for themselves just as much as the guys can.  More women will be clear about what they want from a relationship, confident of their ability to get it, unafraid to speak it out loud, and ready to keep moving if it's not a good fit.  More women will crack the habit of second guessing themselves.