By: Rosemary Dewar
The modern depiction of a woman has been altered almost to the point of irrelevancy. Characteristics that made women unique from men are perceived as weaknesses instead of strengths. Culture cannot seem to decide between adapting to women’s individual needs or changing the definition of women altogether. Although history has shown the exploitation of women, there are examples in history where women were actually esteemed. Should this misconception continue to be used in order to misinform women, it will continue to negatively affect our culture.
Women have a fundamental role in being sources of creativity and new life, which should never be taken lightly or for granted. Should an actuated belief do harm to the development and advancement of women, it ought to be abandoned. Take the story of King Solomon when he was forced to judge between two women. Simply look at the symbolism and how it applies to our current culture.
King Solomon is a representation of all wisdom that is reinforced by tradition and order. There are two mothers that represent those that are tasked with nurturing by raising an infant (a continuation of culture). One mother accidentally kills her infant by rolling over it as she slept. Knowing she killed her baby, she switches her dead child with another woman’s infant. Solomon is presented with the responsibility to restore the live infant back to its mother. So, Solomon gives a test. He threatens to split the child with his sword (with no actual intention to do so). The woman that has ultimately failed as a mother (nurturer of culture) agrees to the arrangement to cover her theft. The other mother begs to preserve that life even if she is no longer privileged to nurture the baby herself. With that exclamation, the innocent mother regains her child by manifesting her womanly and motherly disposition. As for the guilty woman, every action she took to hide her guilt was an expression of her failure as a mother and a decent person. When any action, no matter how vague at the time, results in undeniable loss and destruction of someone else’s life, it ought to be rejected before it causes further damage.
Our culture is as fragile as an infant. Very few fundamentally true practices keep it alive. Modern feminism seems to be as intent as Marxism was to dismantle it. There is not a more effective way to tear it down other than manipulating the definition of womanhood and motherhood. Modern feminist influencers cannot make up their mind whether to ask for specialized treatment that caters to women or to ask to be treated no differently than their male counterparts in the work place. Accomplishing both is not possible. Even when a company bends to accommodate women and mothers, there is the high possibility that some practices are not sustainable long term. It may have nothing to do with sexism, and simply be a burden to others in the company. It is asserted that the overwhelming majority of mothers would rather work from home if they could. Sometimes companies are just not capable of meeting that need. That does not make them “bad” companies.
Within Jewish history, women hold authority of their own. They are community leaders and judges. Women are educated, hold individual wealth, and buy and sell land. In marriage, women are aware of the value of their dowry, and have the authority to turn down an engagement. They are to teach the Torah to their children before they go to Hebrew school. Women are even considered closer to God because woman was made after man. God also expresses his displeasure when men neglect their wives, for example in the book of Malachi.
Of course, there are bigoted men. Of course, there are civilizations that don’t esteem their women. That is systematically not prevalent in America’s current culture. Women have a vital role in society, yet every time modern feminism diminishes the importance of femininity or motherhood, they “split the baby” over and over again. It is to the detriment of women and harm of society as a whole.
By: Rosemary Dewar
