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Wednesday 12 October 2016

The apple

Autumn brings the cooler days, beautiful colour and our inevitable trips to the apple orchard. Walking among the rows of apples this year, I thought of the story of Adam and Eve as I reached for that first apple. 

 

Imagine, as described in the Bible, the temptation to eat from that one forbidden tree.

 

Of course, the woman was the cause of all the problems in what would have been paradise otherwise.

Women have a natural position of power because of our gender's ability to deliver into the world and nurture the next generation. As humans evolved, the hunter-gatherers among us felt inferior and from the earliest times, charged with testosterone, exerted their dominance through physical strength and aggressive behaviour. That's a theory anyway.

And so it began!

Many females have felt inferior because of gender. Inferiority can arise from how we are raised and treated by society and can affect how we think of ourselves. In subtle and overt ways, we are led to think we are less than our male counterparts. Women, because of our socialization, often unconsciously, will discriminate against other women because of gender.

I have experienced situations of unfair treatment due to gender. However, while speaking up can be hard enough, being told, "You can't take a joke," or "You're too serious," or, my favourite, "I was just joking," are all infuriating. Again, the woman is the problem and if she changed her attitude and "lightened up," there wouldn't be an issue. Meanwhile, this does not include the devastation of physical and sexual assaults we experience which are even more sinister.

Then there is the problem of being invisible as a woman when a man is involved. When we moved to Prince Edward Island from Newfoundland, we sold our home and planned to buy another. In order to facilitate the new purchase, we secured a pre-approved mortgage should we need it. My husband and I sat in the office at the bank, and the male financial officer ignored me and spoke to the man. As a couple, we spoke about our needs and ability to pay. The banker did not look at me until he asked a question my husband could not answer but I could. Where finances were concerned, it had happened before.

When we purchased our first house, the mortgage was in both of our names. My salary was higher than my husband's and to pay off the mortgage quickly, we decided to put my salary on the mortgage and live on my husband's. When the mortgage was paid, a letter of congratulations from the bank was addressed to my husband only. The bank manager, a woman, signed the letter.

My parents raised me from an early age to believe I could support myself and education was the key to my future. As a child, I knew I would go to university and Mom and Dad helped me achieve that goal. I can stand on my own two feet financially and otherwise although the world does not make it easy. However, I am fortunate compared to the vast majority of the women in the world today.

Time and hard work will take care of misogyny. After all, it is only one hundred years since the first women in parts of Canada were able to vote! I may not be around to see a major shift in western society and beyond. As it is today, imagine how good a woman has to be to lead a business, a boardroom, a university or a country! Just turn on the television.



14 comments:

Shammickite said...

What a great post! I was once denied a job because I am a woman..... "you'll probably leave to have babies" the elderly male boss said. I wasn't happy but I think I accepted the outcome because there was nothing I could do about it! I eventually did get the same position, and did a good job of it too!

Ginnie Hart said...

PREACH IT, SISTER! OMG...how timely. I keep watching how everything except the kitchen sink has been thrown at Hillary Clinton the last 25-30 years of her political life. Stuff that men in her position would NEVER have to endure. It infuriates me. Don't get me started....

But how wonderful of you to say it as it is here in this post, telling your own personal stories to back it up. I'm proud of you and I hope your husband is, too. BRAVA!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Amen, sistah! Everything you say in this post is true. Things have started to change over the last 50 years but not nearly enough yet.

Silver in AZ said...

I've never seen a ripe apple tree, other than small dwarf granny smith's. This is beautiful!

Marie Smith said...

I know a young woman who was told the same by an employer. She did have recourse however. We have some better protection today, Shammickite.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Ginnie! There is much to think about today with all the stories coming out of the U.S. Election. We eachhave stories, don't we?

Marie Smith said...

It is a slow process! Part of the reason for the scrutiny some female politicians get is because others feel threatened and are losing control/power. Sad!

Marie Smith said...

Such an orchard is a bit of paradise, SW.

DJan said...

Thank you for this thoughtful post. When I was first married, long ago, I was unable to even get a credit card in my own name. And I worked full time, but that was then. We have truly come a long way, but have still a ways to go. I'm simply amazed at how strong a woman I hope will be our next President is. Wish I'd written this, but glad you actually did it. :-)

Tabor said...

Well, you said it much more politely than I.

Marie Smith said...

I was inspired to write because of the news from the U.S. election.

Marie Smith said...

I wanted to speak from the heart rather than in anger which is what I often feel.

Angela said...

You are a very intelligent lady and a woman that has wisdom! I have moments of hope for the world and sometimes I feel sad and see no hope.

Marie Smith said...

Holdfast, Angela. I wrote about it today.