Raising Awareness? How?

Women in this current age are often seen as delicate creatures that are incapable of fending for themselves, and are in continuous need of help from men to sustain our existence. This widespread stereotype is very dangerous, not only for the women of today, but also for the future generations of women still to come. Women have shown a remarkable ability to adapt to very hazardous situations because society deems it “normal”. An example of a hazardous “normal” situation would be allowing oneself to continually be in a relationship with a man who shows obvious signs of abusive tendencies. It is permissible for men to behave in an abusive or semi-abusive way, because men are taught that aggression is an acceptable means of venting ones stresses or any other emotion on the negative side of the emotional spectrum. In reaction to their partner’s negative emotions, women, through our mystical femininity, are supposed to be able to soothe, care for, and allow our male counterparts to express themselves in such haphazard ways. Yet if a woman shows the slightest sign of vulnerability or anger, through means of tears, or yelling, we are raving lunatics.

            Obviously, since there are undergraduate courses in colleges all across the nation dedicated to social injustices, especially the injustices women face because of gender stereotypes and social norms, this is an important issue to bring awareness to. Since so many women are labeled as hormonal, therefore irrational, it is hard to get the message of inequality out. I wonder how we can most effectively, as women, raise awareness about the injustices we face without being rudely labeled and scorned for wanting to be able to effectively be self-sufficient, or take care of those we love?