International Women’s Day…

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Well, last week was apparently International Women’s Day.

I hope you can hear the dripping sarcasm in that last sentence.

Does anyone else throw up a little bit in their mouth when, come March 8, social media turns into an estrogen fest of caustic female pride?

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I mean, double standard much?

Honestly, I walk around on days like today, and I feel like I have to apologize to men for the bombastic demonstration of my fellow females. I mean, I feel like I should be wearing a t-shirt that says, “We’re not all raging feminists!”

It’s just a really weird time right now. And, I know this post is going to get a lot of heat…I know that going into it, but frankly, someone had to say it:

Women’s Day…is dumb.

There, I said it.

Can you imagine if men tried to pull something like this? There would be castrated male genitalia littering the streets!

But since we’re females, we get a pass to devote an entire day to pissing on guys and making a mockery of the male person.

It’s a double standard that just feels icky.

Here’s the thing. And this is an unpopular opinion.

I don’t understand when it became looked-down-upon to be “traditionally” feminine. You know what I mean…the Scarlet O’Hara/Audrey Hepburn version of a woman: delicate, gentle, loving and supportive to a man, building him up, and being a compliment to his masculinity.

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When did that become anti-woman?!

I’m sorry. But when I have a daughter one day, I’m not going to encourage her to play tackle football. I’m going to put her in dance class.

And I’m going to dress her in pink. And teach her about the importance of etiquette, and chivalry. And yes, I’ll encourage her to follow her heart, and play outside and get her clothes dirty, and do the things that make her feel alive – but she will know that she is a lady.

And I am not a monster for wanting that.

There’s a desperation when we try to dominate men. We’re striving to beat men out at the top jobs, and demanding this and that, and cut-throating our way to the top, no matter the price — all in the name of Girl Power, and Time’s Up, and Me Too – or whatever the feminist “Phrase of the Week” is. And it’s time someone step back and beg the question: What is the price?

I’ll tell you what it is:

The decline of the family unit.

We are reeling as a country when it comes to home and family life. Divorce, separation, cheating. Parents not knowing what kids are doing. And kids, fending for themselves, without the guidance of a supervising parent.

I mean, the family dinner has become nonexistent.

Our society desperately needs families.

Strong, familial bonds that teach how to treat one another with respect. Integrity. Honesty. Discipline. Communication skills. Cooperation. The difference between right and wrong. How to share and work together.

The family is what a great society is built upon. — Or at least it used to be — Back when that was seen as the most important career a woman could have: that as a mother and wife.

Her career as a homemaker.

But sadly, we’ve lost that, and instead, have outsourced those vitally important tasks that truly shape our children, to nannies. To after school programs. To what they watch on TV. Or even worse — to social media.

And let me tell ya, Snapchat won’t raise our children with integrity and honor.

It takes a parent.

I want to just pause to say two things:

First: I know that dual incomes can be necessary in this world, with tuition, and bills, and expenses etc. And just because a woman works outside the home in no way, shape, or form, makes her a bad mother. Hear me when I say that.

Work/life balance can be a real thing — Devoting quality time to family and spouse, and making it a priority. Working with progressive companies who have family-friendly practices and schedule flexibility for both women and men. (Which frankly, all companies should!)

And on that note, there is still a lot of progress needed to gain equal pay and equal advancement, to remove glass ceilings, and stop harassment. If a woman wants to work, then she should have every opportunity available guaranteed in a safe, inclusive, and pro-family environment.

And I celebrate the women (and men) who have figured out how to attend to both work and family. And I celebrate the companies that have made it possible to do so.

Secondly: I know that fathers are also an equally key component in raising children. And on that note, it is also fully acceptable for fathers to stay/work from home with the children too. But this article is about Women — on Women’s Day.

Let’s get one thing straight: women do deserve to be celebrated and honored. Fully. 100%.

We are life bearers. We are problem solvers. We are strong, brave, funny, smart, organized, beautiful, creative, nurturing human beings.

That is something to honor today, and everyday.

And we’re capable of doing everything a man can do…and technically more, when you get down to the biological nuts and bolts. (No pun intended!)

But in this time that is so hyper focused on the advancement of women, I wish we could place more importance on the invaluable role a woman plays in the home. In her child’s life, as mother. In her husband’s life, as wife. Those are not “four letter words” to be crapped on in the name of feminism.

I’m tired of feeling like a traitor to womankind, simply because I value those things.

God made us to share in partnership with men: equal and complimentary.

Putting down men – even in the name of feminism – is never a good look.

My mother taught me that.

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375 thoughts on “International Women’s Day…”

  2. Another breath of fresh air.
    Another fully satisfying insight to what is good and proper and right and accurate.
    In MLB the Best ever was Babe Ruth. He had a nearly perfect all time batting average of about 500. Means be struck out half the time. If your blog was measured similarly you’d have a 1,000 batting average.
    That is, you knock it over the wall every single time!!!
    Great great POST. I wish to God they’d your post on The View or Oprah or some other inane twisted television program.
    AWESOME POST!!!

    xoxo

    Roland

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    1. Hi Roland, thank you so much for your kind words! Babe Ruth! More than just a candy bar 🙂 heheh But in all seriousness, what an incredibly kind thing too say. thank you!! Hugs and love xox

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  3. I am quite confused as to why you so intensely insist that International Women’s Day is foremost intended as a way to bash men? The history of the day is primarily steeped in the suffrage movement, meaning, women long ago who thought it right that women be allowed to vote. I certainly wouldn’t want to give that up. From there, the focus has been on things like humane workplace conditions, decreasing instances of rape and brutality that overwhelmingly victimize women, providing more support to women whose husbands and fathers are lost to wars, equal pay for equal qualifications, and so forth. Frankly, it has nothing to do with being anti-male. The point is to support positive efforts intended to improve the quality of life for women in areas that are demonstratively harming women, and by extension support the children and family units that you mention as being at risk. You have a large following, and it dismays me to read what seems a needless stoking of petty culture wars. Your love for an intact family unit truly does not require a disavowal of feminism, just an expanded understanding of what it really means. I have had the privilege of staying home with all 3 of my children in their early childhood. My husband earns enough for me to do so. I read to them, garden, cook, and basically lead the life your post seems to be pining for, the lifestyle that somehow is threatened by positive recognition of women’s importance in the arena of politics and world events? My two eldest are daughters, and I think my most important task is to make certain they know the value of their minds, souls, and voices in a culture so lookist and objectifying. The best way to do that is for them to learn and experience the interconnection between justice and compassion. Girls and women striving to feel whole in themselves is good for everyone, men included. Appreciation of the hard work and struggles of women that March 8 commemorates does not mean I am against men. It means I’m grateful. Why not accentuate the positive?

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    1. Hi Nichole, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this emotional issue. I appreciate you joining the dialogue and offering this heartfelt perspective. Justice and compassion – i love that. because you’re right – it is a balance, and there is a broad spectrum when it comes to feminism. One that I am on! I definitely am grateful for the progress that women have made for our rights to vote, and work, and have all the freedoms and protections that we are blessed with today. that should be celebrated and acknowledged each and every day! I just don’t think we need to put men down or make make the “bad guy” in the process. That’s all. And i’m so glad that you have such an awesome family. It sounds like you’re raising your daughters to be amazing young women 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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      1. It would be WONDERFUL were you to more clearly and openly claim your place on the feminist spectrum, and from there explore how any broad stroke disavowal of men is counterproductive. I fear that your post seems to directly link International Women’s Day to man-hating and the undermining of family values in a way that further encourages the divisive misapprehension of feminism. And thank you, I am very happy to have my sweet family to love. They strengthen my resolve to speak out for a just and equitable world where more people can feel safe to love what is dearest. There are plenty of men who equally and vehemently object to the profits of war and displacement and environmental degradation, and understand feminism as another way to be courageous in the struggle for justice and peace. ❤️

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      2. I will definitely keep that in mind for future posts. 🙂 Thank you again for stopping by and joining the dialogue! Hugs and love xox

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  4. I totally agree with most of your post and it annoys me that the day is on my birthday. One comment I would make is that it’s for a women to enjoy contact sports and still be feminine. I play men’s league ice hockey, but you’d never guess it if you saw me at work or on the street. I love being a feminine women, but that doesn’t mean I love sports any less. I’ve got my cake and I’m eating not too.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. And happy belated birthday! And I totally agree – I played varsity soccer and basketball in high school! And I will definitely be putting my girls in sports – I just meant specifically TACKLE football. Like little league. And frankly, with everything coming out about concussions, I don’t know if I would encourage my boys to play football either! But yeah, girls can defffffinitely play sports. Being a female athlete was my identity in high school and I wouldn’t change that for the world! 🙂 I’m with ya there! Hugs and love xox

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      1. My boys play hockey, so know all to well about concussions. My son is concussed now and for a brief moment they thought he had a brain bleed. It’s been scary. Football is way too much head to head contact, scares me even for my boys!

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      2. oh my gosh, i’m so sorry to hear that! how frightening! I will definitely keep him in my preyers. Yeah, both my older brothers played football, and I am just so grateful that they escaped unharmed. (I’ll thank their positions as QB and receiver for that!) But yeah – it’s scary. No one in my family wants to/has seen the Will Smith movie about the concussions, because it just hits a little too close to home. Scary. thanks again for stopping by! have a great night oxoxox

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  5. Well said. Once again, you’ve hit the nail on the head. You’ve written what clearly many are thinking. (I hope you don’t mind if I vent a little here, but this has been on my mind for a long time now. You are right that, as a guy, it is not an easy thing to voice an opinion right now).

    It seems to me there is a frenzy of female chauvinism right now which is EQUALLY as negative as male chauvinism, and it should be called out, just as you have done. I am consistently staggered how some people claim they are trying to encourage and foster gender equality and then in the very same breath they immediately draw attention to a cause that promotes one gender over the other. One of the highest profile cases of sexual misconduct in the recent showbiz scandals involved a male victim and a male perpetrator. Yet the # campaigns are all focusing on women who were victims of men. Not vulnerable people who were victims of malicious people.

    Oprah Winfrey recently likened the current feminist uprising to the civil rights movement but if I remember Rev Dr King’s speech correctly, he did not dream that black people would rise up and defeat white people, but that black and white people would be treated equally – AS PEOPLE. Likewise, gender equality means men and women should be treated equally – AS PEOPLE.

    Feminism, by its very nature, is ANTI-equality.

    Woman’s Day used to be a “mothers-day-esque” celebration of the precious and valuable role a woman plays in a healthy society, just as you described, but it has in recent years been hijacked as a rallying call for women to rise up and beat men at “their own game”.

    Connected to that, I can’t help feeling that the recent explosion of before-and-after fitness selfies some women are posting on sites like Instagram is doing enormous damage to girls’ self worth and core values. It seems like a woman without six-pack abs is being framed as somehow less of a woman when, to some people, there is nothing LESS ‘womanly’ than six-pack abs.

    It’s heartening to know that someone, even your one solitary voice, is prepared to remind us that, when it comes to militant feminism, not all women are equal.

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    1. Be treated equally as people Yes! i love that so uch. Thank you so much, Ally for sharing this heartfelt response. it really means a lot that you would share your heart on such an emotional issue. so glad this resonated with you! Hugs and love xox

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  6. This was amazing!! I think people are losing the value and importance in family relationships that ultimately it’s sabotaging romantic relationships.

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  7. No, no, no, no, no. 1. Saying that women’s day is dumb is like saying that black history month is dumb. It’s ignorant. It’s ignoring the facts these things exist because they do not get the recognition on a day to day basis they deserve. We shouldn’t have a national men’s day because men are already the primary focus/ celebrated in every day life. 2. To be pro feminism is not to be anti traditional female roles. It’s to see those roles and say they should be encouraged, respected, and cared for in the same ways as men’s roles. 3. The times up and me too movements were not “feminist” movements… they were anti sexual harassment movements and to simply dismiss them as a feminist fad is so incredibly disrespectful to the thousands of women and men who have been sexual harassed, abused, mistreated. 4. You can’t say that women should have the option to work from home or to stay at home and that more/all companies should make that option realistic/available for moms/wives while in the same article saying women need to stop with the feminist agenda. That is is LITERALLY THE AGENDA! Women do not have the option to take time off from work and properly care for the children, they do not have the proper support to be a housewife, or to be both because they are not valued as both women and worker. It is a complete contradiction to demand the one and not support the other. 5. Women can be dainty and feminine and just like Audrey Hepburn and STILL BE FEMINIST!!!!! And you can be a Christian and honor traditional Christian man women roles and STILL BE A FEMINIST. Do you not think that Jesus would have been seen as a feminist equivalent in His time. He stopped a women who had committed adultry from being stoned! He was born to a mother that was seen as having him out of wedloc. Jesus was so radically pro female in his day. And taking a stand against feminism as a women doesn’t make you look better or superior or more attractive it makes you look like someone who is afraid to call out bs and just accepts whatever they are told.

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    1. Hi Cameron, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and perspectives on this emotional issue. I definitely appreciate you joining the conversation. I agree – Jesus was definitely pro-woman. He is the example for us all! And I’m sorry if you feel that that was my agenda for writing this post, because I can assure you, it was most certainly not. We should celebrate all the sacrifices and struggles that the women (and men) before us made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have now. And I appreciate that those Me Too and TU movements were to stop the sexual assault and harassment that have NO PLACE in 2018. I’m so glad that those perps are coming to light and being served justice. The courage that it took for those victims to come forward is truly inspiring, and I am in no way diminishing that, or the movement to end sexual assault/harassment. Women are strong and should be celebrated and championed, but not at the expense of bashing men or making women who don’t believe in abortion feel like they aren’t welcome in the female race. That’s all. Net net, I hear you, and I appreciate your positions, and respect them! That’s why I wanted to start a dialogue, is so that we could all come together, and seek understanding and mutual respect. Thanks for stopping by, Cameron. Hugs and love xox

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  8. 😮 I want to leave a well thought-out and insightful reply, but all I can respond with is…”will you marry me”? 💍

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      1. Ha! Don’t laugh SO hard, Caralyn! 😉😂 I will leave a better comment when I’m sitting still.

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  9. Well written post .. valid points and huge numbers will agree with you.
    I’m no feminist either … yet I feel strong and empowered and am proud of my 19-yr old daughter for being the same. She has an amazing boyfriend who respects her and loves her. What more can you ask?

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    1. thank you so much Viola! I really appreciate your thoughts on this emotional issue. That’s so awesome. sounds like you’ve got a great young lady there. good job 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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      1. I have – she’s amazing. But I’ve had a lot of support from my husband. We’ve both enjoyed bringing up both our kids xx
        May you be blessed with a happy family xx

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  10. When I first started reading this, I was like “Nooo! Don’t misunderstand feminists! We aren’t all like that!” But then you pretty well said it for me. I think there are a lot more feminists like us out there, who view men and women as equal and complementary, than we get credit for on mainstream media or social media! Love your style 😉

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    1. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and respond! yeah, it’s a big big spectrum – one that I am on! just, not the extreme ends 🙂 thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  11. Intriguing post. It’s sad that anyone is marginalized, patronized and/or overlooked. Consequently, I get no enjoyment from seeing the constant parade of commercials depicting men as bumbling dupes who can’t tie their shoes without their wives help. I find the trend rather tired and quite stupid.
    That said, one doesn’t have to look very hard to find “vintage” adds and the ridiculous depictions of women in them. The women are almost always dumb and always helpless, unless there’s a man around. Many of these adds are as recent as the 1970s. This was the accepted standard of femininity then. I pray that I am never again subjected to that kind of sexism. I’m fifty-two years old. I was a kid back then and I remember being repulsed by that garbage. In the scheme of things, that wasn’t that long ago.
    I am absolutely convinced there had to be a woman’s movement otherwise we wouldn’t even have the right to vote. Unfortunately, civil rights movements are no more perfect that the people who participate in them. Bra burning and obnoxious behavior does not negate the positive reforms of the women’s movement. Likewise, piling on and being “late to the table” does not diminish the rightful resolve of women to no longer tolerate sexual harassment. I like International Women’s Day.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. i am so with you! the “dumb man/dad” trope is so tired, and frankly I just hate how it belittles men. And that’s also another great point about the women. thanks for offering this powerful perspective! big hugs to you xox

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  13. I am not a fan of the feminist movement. I work for an international company and they never mentioned International Woman’s although I knew what it was. I would love to go back to the days when women cared for the house, kids, and husband. But sadly I cannot have children so that forces me out in the work force.

    I love this post. You really hit the nail on the head! Great job!!

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    1. Hi friend, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this emotional issue. Gosh, I’m sorry to hear that. I know infertility is such a hard thing to cope with. know that you are in my prayers. sending you such big hugs and lots of love xox

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  14. Another great post 😀👌 National women’s days is litterly the dumbest thing every! It goes against everything a sane person stands for! Now don’t get me wrong I want equal pay for women but does all this hatred have to go around between the genders to get that simple plea?
    Lots of love
    Izzy

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  15. My dear friend,

    I think that most of the things that matters is what kind of viewing point we have at things, what motives are behind with which we express our feelings and reasonings. The same outcome may not necessarily have the same motive behind. For example when I wrote something for this internation women day, my feeling was to express the wish that we, men and women are treated equally, as we are all first of all human beings and there should be indeed no difference. Unfortunately, the male part has often put a thumb on women and in our world there are still unbalanced situations, even terrible situations for women – for those I have my compassion and empathy, for those it is worth-while fighting for, for a better harmonic world. A day fixed like that should not be just a day in remembrance for those woman who suffer under the thumb of the society, tradition, culture or man-rulership (I myself am a man) – it should become a natural thing, not only one day, but every day (the same with xmas – a fixed day calls us to be friendly in family-love – why only one day? – we should celebrate xmas every day in your heart and practise it every day in our life) – however, this one day, can be a start, a bridge for a future improvement, a bridge not to mention this special day for women any more as soon equality between women and men has become a matter of course. But many things need a start and of course this start can be seen from many different point of views. If we consider it in a positive way – the outcome will be positive some day the more people think positively. I remember that in former East-Germany people went on the street, every Monday, in Leipzig, to demonstrate their freedom and annouce that they are the people. This action bore fruit – and nowdays nowone goes on the street anymore after they have reached their goal – it was a bridge man had to across, from the very start til the goal was achieved. So one day it is not necessary anymore to have a day like that – it will turn into a human matter of course.

    Here again the words I have chosen: that we men and women should reach a balance of mutual respect, love and dignity:

    My appreciation to all women in this world.
    May women and men have equal rights likewise
    Earn the same money for the same job
    Are respected with dignity
    And treated with open hearts
    In thankfulness for giving life
    From generation to generation
    Raising children
    Taking care of the family
    Spreading perfume of love and selfless service

    Thank you, dear ladies 🙂

    DidiArtist, 08.03.2018

    Thank you very much, my friend for sharing this important subject.
    Wishing all what is good for your soul
    Didi

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    1. Wow Didi, thank you so much for this incredibly moving response. So many powerful insights and perspectives here. my favorite line was when you said that men and women should reach a balance of respect, love and dignity. AMEN. Those three things are what every single person, no matter their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality – deserve. Amen to that! thank you for stopping by and sharing your heart. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Welcome, my friend – yes and we have to live “respect, love, and dignity” in our daily life. What did Gandhi say: “Be the change if you want to see a change in the world” – in this meaning we are all responsible and each of us has has to change for the better – this is living truth, living love…
        Thank you so much, dear friend.
        Hugs and love
        Didi

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  16. I could not agree with this post more! I applaud you for using your platform to share your views. I didn’t even know it was International Women’s Day until someone told me and I just rolled my eyes. I love being treated like a lady. I love having doors opened for me, bags carried for me from the grocery store and my boyfriend even pushes the cart. I cook the meals, do the laundry and clean the house (except the floors because that’s our agreement). He does the lawn, takes out the trash and works his ass off (as do I). We don’t have children yet, but we would put our girls in dance and pink and our boys in blue and football also. It really makes me sad that this feminist movement is where its at. Even the some of the women of the 60’s who burned their bras for women’s rights have spoken out saying they think it’s gotten way out of hand and certainly doesn’t reflect what they were fighting for. I really enjoy your blog! Thank you for your transparency and honesty.

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    1. Thank you so much Leigh Ann! I really appreciate your support and kind words. Amen sister!! Yeah, I hear you there! Out of hand I think is definitely the right word. so glad you stopped by! (And ps – so happy for you that you’ve got such an awesome man in your life!! yay! 🙂 ) Hugs and love xox

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  17. Very well written and incredibly insightful. Your thoughts are probably considered pretty radical by the majority of a society that seems to have bought into the idea that all morality is relative. Thank you for what you contribute. I think it’s brilliant.

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  18. So I’m also coming from a weird perspective (albeit much different)–a man who loves the existence of International Women’s Day.

    From my experiences, very few of the women I know on International Women’s Day are people who are of the “destroy all men” types. Which seems to be your concern (or one of your concerns).

    Instead, the feminist women I know view International Women’s Day as a day to celebrate women. I have no problem with that because from my perspective, we celebrate men on the other 364/365 days of the year. Think about it…every President of the United States is/was a man, history is dominated by men, most politicians are men, most sports stars are men, most Fortune 500 CEOs are men, etc. So to have a day intentionally focused on celebrating women when all the other days of the year are overwhelmingly celebrating men (intentional or not) is I think a good thing.

    That being said, maybe we have different feelings because we know different people.

    P.S. Things are a little busy so my apologies if I take awhile to respond.

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    1. Hi Brenden, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this! i love hearing everyone’s different perspectives. Those are really great points. so true – different people, different positions on the spectrum of feminism. Thanks for this powerful food for thought! Hugs and love xox

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  19. Caralyn, you are an amazing young lady! You are the standard to which all others should be measured when asking themselves what is important regarding balance.
    As you said, a woman/girl/lady is a very special thing. She is not inferior to her male counterpart, but she is not identical. She should not try to be. My wife, as a young school girl, told her teacher that she wanted to grow up to be a wife and mother. She was told that she could be “so much more than that”. This was confusing to her as this was what she thought would be the most rewarding career of all. She did it magnificently. (She also went on to get a college degree).
    I particularly loved your comment about what would happen if men tried to have the same kind of day to recognize us. Keep up the wonderful work, dear.
    Love and Blessings,
    Jim

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    1. oh my gosh Jim, you are too kind. thank you friend. amen to that – that’s what I told my teachers too!! I was like, “I want to have 10 kids!” haha Yeah – i had a different word in that sentence, but was advised to replace it! hahahah Hugs and love xox

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  20. Caralyn, once again… Thanks for taking a strong stand on these issues. As a man who cherishes my wife, I just applaud your willingness to “tell it like it is” (or, maybe, “like it used to be!”) We are in trouble, as a society, and this is just more more reason why. God made things to be very simple from the very beginning… strong families are the core of decent society, built upon the mutual strength of man AND woman. Thanks for stepping up and saying what needs to be said… in spite of the possible repercussions. You are right! No matter all the voices out there, declaring God’s way as old-fashioned and outdated. Sadly, we are seeing the truth behind the fact that we always reap what we sow. Be blessed. Be that beacon.God is with you!

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    1. thank you so much friend. yeah, we need strong families. Men who support women and women who support men. An equal partnership. Thanks for your support. it seriously means so much. Hugs and love xox

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  22. When the world goes through a paradigm shift the results are a little chaotic. As culture and society have traveled in one direction, part of that society and our Faith went in another direction. Both seem to have the “best interests” of society at heart, however the cultural/societal shift is at odds, loggerheads with the Church. The Second Vatican Council affirmed life from conception to natural death while culture began giving us the easy out. Though part of that easy out has proven itself to be not so easy, and downright painful.
    As someone who had an ill conceived view of the Church, and her teaching on women and our place in faith and role in the Church reading John Paul II’s Mulieris Dignatatem https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1988/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_19880815_mulieris-dignitatem.html
    changed my understanding completely. At the time I read this I’d been regularly reading the documents on Social teaching in the Church. While the practice of the human Church as oft been misordered the teaching of the Church is such that the person is essential. treating each person with the dignity and respect they deserve as a child of God, and living chastely in the current circumstance of life.
    There is much beauty, grace, and hope. As a woman in the Church I experience a deep love, and appreciation. I am contributing what I can at the moment – a richer prayer life, doing good work when the opportunity happens, and being supportive of the people in my life – building them up and encouraging them when and where I can.
    ❤

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    1. YES TERI!!!! The Feminine Genius!!! Yes!!!! oh my gosh that is exactly my position too! What a beautiful doctrine about the beauty of femininity. It’s amazing how much the church honors, celebrates and lifts up women. thank you for sharing this. i hope many people read it! Hugs and love xox

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  23. Well said. There has to be a balance with us being the Queens God created us to be and also embrace the personality that he gave us, rather that reserved and tomboyish like or open and girly

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    1. amen to that! thank you Shay, I fully agree. We all reflect different aspects of the Father’s heart, and so we should embrace and celebrate that! Hugs and love xox

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  24. You must have seen this link regarding the chronology / history of International Women’s Day : http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml.
    Nowhere I saw it being equated to man bashing or feminist movement. I have two women in my house, my wife and my daughter, who are proud supporters of International Women’s Day and all three male members (me and my two sons) are proud of them. Till recently we were a two person working family to meet our needs. Yes, there are stress and strains that are not any different from a stay at home spouse family. As mentioned in your article, it did not put any strain on the family. All three of my kids have turned out to be fine, compassionate human beings, one graduated with a PhD, one in final year of college and the youngest one a sophomore at college. The notion that just because both the spouses work the kids will be neglected is so shortsighted.

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    1. Hi friend, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I’m sorry that you took that away from my post about the dual working families. That was not my position at all. I mentioned that there are ways to balance that, and make it work — which clearly, you and your family are a beautiful example of a work/life balance, and I am cheering for you all! 🙂 Thank you for sending me the article. I will definitely read it, and i appreciate hearing from all sides of the topic. Hugs and love xox

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  26. Caralyn, It’s kind of sad in general we need to have special days for any particular role or gender. To me everyday is a celebration of Father’s day, Mother’s day, Grandparent’s day, Woman’s day.

    It’s not just the family which has deteriorated, it is also the community. We have our neighbors not loving us like they love themselves, but they work to help destroy their own neighbor. They have called the police or other services when their neighbor does something they don’t agree with. Some of the social media/video game parenting has come from the fact parents start being afraid to allow their kids to go outside.

    The combined deterioration of the family roles and our culture have left open the argument to encase anyone who shows love for a significant other thus is and should be able to raise a child. Because they have the argument, look at the traditional family 50% + divorce and other issues.

    I think equality is fine, but at what sacrifice. When roles were clearly defined within the family, there was not competition, there was not the ego. If woman are to unseat men, what will the men do. The challenge as we try and recreate what God created, we throw our entire system in chaos, I believe this is Satan’s favorite word.

    Even the best of us get forced into situations we don’t want to be because we live among those that want to force us to live as they feel we should live. I believe we are way past the point of being able to return to traditional values, morals, principals and culture. Just listen to the news and how angry everyone is at each other – and we all don’t believe in the same God. Even following God, we are divided – denomination split among denomination.

    Our greatest power our greatest weapon is our ability to pray and live a life as we have committed ourselves to and Jesus Christ commanded us NIV Matthew 22:37-29 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]

    God Bless you Caralyn!

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    1. thank you so much for this powerful response. there is so much truth here. i was nodding along with you about the communities. i will join you in prayer for our country – our families – our communities – our law makers and enforcers – our world -and each other. Because you’re right – we need to honor, celebrate and respect all people, all the time. Hugs and love xox

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  27. Reading your post was a kind of relief for me… I get super irritated with the “Women’s Day” hoopla, and was wondering if it was wrong for me to feel so.

    I basically think that every person regardless of their gender, ethnicity or life preferences deserve an equal chance in society, to live a life of respect and dignity. And that’s that!! Being a man or woman does not matter. Everybody has their unique strengths and noone is lesser than the other.

    And I seriously cringe at the way Women’s Day is celebrated. At my work site, there were special talks on “Easy Recipes”, “Hair Care and Beauty”, “Special Cooking contests”… I mean… come on!! Women themselves think women are focused only on this??

    How about a writing seminar, a discussion on thoughts, ideas above and beyond the body?

    Love your writing… God Bless.

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    1. Thank you so much for your wonderful thoughts on this. I’m with yah there! An equal chance in society to live a life of respect and dignity. Amen!!!! Bam – there it is. Hugs and love xox

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  30. Agree with you 100%. I’m all for celebrating women, but the whole social media campaign for International Women’s Day was unbelievably stupid. I didn’t even realize it was an actual day until I saw the hashtags all over Instagram. If we care about gender equality, why not have a Men’s Day while we’re at it? Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    • Katie

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  31. Women still do not have the same rights as men. It’s still a male dominated world. Celebrating women and their achievements is a great thing for young girls especially to see. To show them they can achieve anything. To show them they aren’t second class citizens as is the case still in a lot of countries.
    I find a lot of hate comes from women to women when we should support each other whatever their goals. A stay at home mum should not be mocked by her sisters because of her choice and working women should be supported in their choice too.
    Being a feminist doesn’t mean hating men. That’s not equality, that’s just vindictive and divides society. We need to cherish everyone regardless of sex.
    International women’s Day let’s women all over the world know that they have people who will fight for their rights as they fought for their own and that some day they may have choices to accomplish their dreams. Not be married off at 12 because they don’t matter, to be able to drive a car, to have an education. Sometimes living in a more progressive society you lose sight of what else is happening in the world and don’t question what we take for granted, education, health care, choices.
    The me too is a different argument.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this emotional topic. there is definitely a spectrum of feminism – one that i am definitely on. I love the – cherish everyone regardless of sex. amen. Hugs and love xox

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  32. Great post! Well written. As a “traditional” woman, this really hits home. I didn’t plan to stay home and raise the family. I went to college and planned to be a dual income family. But the fact is, when my daughter was born, it became very apparent where I was needed, and where I would make the most impact. Women should definitely be celebrated, everyday, no matter how they chose to live their lives. Because that fact is every path has the potential to be difficult in it’s own way.

    P.S. My daughter wears pink almost everyday. She is a girl, there is no reason why she shouldn’t dress like one and embrace her femininity.

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    1. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. I’m so glad this resonated with you! amen to that! Hugs and love xox

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  35. I think this might be the most refreshing post I have read! No one believes in the value and influence of women than I, but even I don’t understand what “International Women’s Day” actually does?

    Everyone I know (even those who celebrate this day) don’t actually do anything productive with it, in fact it’s just like any other day. So what is the point? Great post, you’re mother taught you well! Excellent content, as usual.

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    1. oh my gosh Tyrone, what a kind thing to say! thank you so much! so glad you stopped by 🙂 big hugs xo

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  36. Love love love!!! I ignored International Women’s Day… It isn’t wrong to support women, women entrepreneurs, etc – it is wrong to do it at the expense of men like we’re “better”.

    Men aren’t better. Women aren’t better. We’re different. Complimentary. ❤️

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  37. Lovely and fun post, while gives again enough to think about. I love your writings!
    I placed a short post on my personal site on 8th of March, and every year I send out a nice, friendly, publicly posted message on social media sites, congratulating on Women’s Day. Out of respect. And of course, on first place, never would forget about my wife and mother, nieces….and my Bengal kiddo, Roxy.

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  40. Oh how I LOVE this post! It is the only one about International Women’s Day that I liked. I do not post about this day, nor do I even acknowledge it. What a refreshing post! Thank you so much for no doubt putting yourself in the line of fire to write such an intelligent post. ❤

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    1. oh thank you so much Cherilyn! what a beautiful name, by the way. appreciate your kind words so much 🙂 hugs xo

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  41. Great post! My husband and I see so many couples competing instead of working together as a team. Society is so messed up right now by so many screaming loudly what I believe only a few truly believe. My husband is a wonderful person, friend, companion, lover, and spiritual leader of our home. Life is very, very good! I know how blessed I am. I have begun praying that God will send you the right person. I sense in your writing that you are seeking this. What I found, in marrying for the first time at age 44, was finally telling God and meaning it, “You are enough!” WIthin two months, a “friend” at church who I hiked & biked with me was sharing his heart and how meeting me was “making friendship hard.” We got married and have been happily married going on 13 years this October. God bless you!

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    1. thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. wow – 13 years! Congratulations, that is so wonderful 🙂 thanks for the encouragement ! hugs xo

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  42. Like many others, I find this post incredibly refreshing. I knew International Women’s Day existed, but it was like any other day for me. I went to the gym, went to work, came home, ate dinner with my husband, and so on. But, your post also got me thinking about family values and such. My parents (and my husband’s, too), were all about eating dinner together, not in front of the TV. Our families are very much alike, probably because our parents are all around the same age – My mom’s the oldest by six years, but all were born in the 1950s. My husband and I are attempting to eat dinner at the table more regularly – Not an easy thing to do these days. I like to think (and granted, everything can change on a dime) that I want to stay home with our future child/children until they’re school-age. As a kid, I loved that time with my mom, and I even got a little extra since she volunteered at the elementary school I attended, and then started teaching ESL there when I was in second grade. My dad worked incredibly long hours, but tried so hard to be home every weeknight for dinner when I was younger. As an adult, I now see immense value in that, and I definitely appreciate it more.

    I started to be a “latch key kid” in middle school, but it was only 1-2 nights per week at most, and it wasn’t more than a few hours (Usually stuff going on at church where Mom and Dad were both involved). Honestly, then, I thought coming home alone occasionally was awesome. I felt a sense of independence, and I felt proud that my parents trusted me enough to be responsible at 11-years-old to take care of myself for a while. Granted, I’m a bit biased, being an only child.

    No family is perfect, but I’d like to think that if Al and I show our child/children these simple values, they will be better off for it.

    THANK YOU for such a wonderful, thought-provoking post! Hugs!!

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    1. Thank you so much Laura Beth for sharing your story. It’s sounds like you have incredible parents and that you and your husband have an awesome relationship. So glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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  45. The Bible gives us exactly what we need for a strong, thriving family unit.

    “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” (Eph 5:22-33)

    “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” (Col 3:20-21) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Eph 6:1-4)

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  46. I am right there with you girl! I enjoy being feminine and soft spoken. I don’t insult my man or put him down just to lift myself higher. I think we should be rising up together and not repeat the cycle of stepping on somebody else to get a leg up. I’m following your site for sure. ❤

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    1. Thank you so much JennyLynn! Rising up together — i love that so much 🙂 so glad you stopped by! have a great afternoon! hugs xox

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  48. This is a great post. I admire the women of the bygone years of Hollywood such as Audrey Hepburn. They were classy and they didn’t put men down. It seems that the latest trend is for women to be feminist, don a hat that has a vulgar name associated with it, and tell men how horrible they are and that they need to become more female.

    Sadly, this is the case. I’m not ashamed to be a guy. And women shouldn’t be ashamed of who they are nor should they feel the need to make themselves feel tough by putting down men.

    As you said, the disappearance of the family unit has something to do with this. Both parental units need to be in place to properly teach their children first about God and then about how to conduct themselves in society.

    Anyway, I think I rambled enough. Great post!

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    1. thank you so much Joe! I’m so glad this you enjoyed the read. yeah, oh to go back in time 🙂 you’re right – we need God in our homes! hugs xo

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  49. No one should put men or women down, that’s something I’ve never understood.
    And the ideas of women in the past supporting men and raising children isn’t bad, and will never be bad.

    History shows us that this only works when women are treated right, when men are kind and good.

    To be honest women have seldom been treated right. When did women get the right to vote? It wasn’t that long ago. Men of my Granfather’s generation would at times stop at the bar on the way home, get drunk, go home and beat their wives, and the wives were powerless to do anything about it. It was unfortunately a cultural issue. Maybe in your life you’ve never seen or experienced anything this, and that’s the way it should be! But your article misses the point I think of celebrating women. Have you ever seen the young lady named Malala? She was shot in the face for standing up for women being educated. You can find her on youtube. Now there’s a hero. And there’s countless other examples of men and women helping women – simply because they needed to.

    Bashing people? No. Helping people and standing up for women. Yes!! So I think it’s good to have a women’s day. Don’t most of us have a church day that we honor mothers? Well this is very similar.

    These are just some thoughts I had.

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    1. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this emotional issue. i have not heard Malala’s story – wow, so sad. i will definitely check out the videos – thank you for passing her story along. hugs xo

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  50. This was a very interesting post. I definitely think that women should be celebrated every day – as should men. That’s what equality is all about. I also agree that bashing of either gender is not okay and this happens a lot: men bash women, women bash men, and the cycle is never broken. It’s important to admire your own gender as well as the gender of others, and recognize the pivotal role that each plays. I think this viewpoint, again, speaks to the idea of seeing both genders as equal. The problem with having one day devoted to women is that it flies in the face of equality; every day should be women AND men’s day. This is something that society needs to work on making a norm. I think that movements like #MeToo started off as something good; they were about sexual harassment and assault. However, they quickly became labeled as feminist rage because of the way some people used the hashtag. I feel like that is a big problem with a lot of these movements, and it makes it hard for me to support them; I agree with their inherent values and ideas, but I don’t like the way they go about attacking people, specifically men. Not all men are evil. Not all women are good.
    Anyways, sorry for the rant, but just wanted to put my views out there!

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this emotional issue. So many powerful perspectives. I relate with a lot of this – the purpose behind #metoo and #timesup is definitely needed – assault and harassment have no place in 2018. I’m with you though – we don’t have to attack men to further that effort to end the violence. thanks for sharing!! big big hugs xox

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