I’m one of the “sad old feminists” referred to here by one of my fave writers, Gail Collins of the NY Times. Sad because many younger women seem to think EVERYTHING IS DIFFERENT NOW! even though it isn’t. (Example from a recent article: “Women in their 20s are enjoying sex in ways past generations have never known: casual encounters, one night stands…”)
Oh, come on. What do they think happened when The Pill was invented?
Such short-sightedness makes me feel left behind, like a forgotten shard of history, but I’ve found the perfect antidote: I invite myself inside their tent. I’ve begun talking to young women to learn more about how they live today. Every chance I get, I ask about work, marriage, etc. to learn if anything has really changed from the 70s. It’s fascinating, and it makes me feel like I’m still a part of their world.
For example, my hairdresser is 27 and she’s a feminist (but I wouldn’t call her that to her face. Have you noticed? Feminism has become a dirty word.) She and her sweet hubby are engaging in a still-friendly power struggle over how she should balance work time and mommy time. Nothing changes.
I volunteered for a couple of years at an elementary school, and the conversation at break time among the young women often focused on the same issues as I remember from 25 years ago. I ask the girls for clarification (“Are you still doing most of the housework?”) and they seem eager to talk about how things are today. Hint: nothing changes.
I even read a Cosmopolitan magazine yesterday. Talk about retro. It was mostly about guys – how to win them, sexually satisfy them, etc. Jeez, as if a guy needs anything more than the naked body of a 25-year old to be happy. But apparently the girls are still worried.
Nothing changes.
Recent argument with my grandson, “Well back in your day…”
“My day, I’m still freaking alive. This is my day and all of those others before. And I repeat that Dukes of Hazard was not the best TV show every done.” It went on or a while. But I agree, so few know that history is with and within us.