Raising A Daughter In The #metoo Era

I am typically a quiet participant when it comes to politics and going on's in the world, but lately the #metoo movement has really hit a soft spot.  When the initial sexual harassment allegations began, it almost seemed to me like a scheme because there were so many claims.  I quickly realized I was being naive, and recognized that 20+ years ago, it was NOT okay to speak up for yourself as a women. Women were designed to cook, clean, and make babies. (HA!) I recognized each woman coming forward was giving strength to the next woman in line.  Each woman that stood up for herself, was empowering the one after her to do the same, hence the vast numbers of powerful survivors. (Forehead slap)

I live in a small town, that not only is male dominated, but some women continue with old world thinking. Thank goodness some residents are trying to make a change.  Our local newspaper recently published an article that outrageously suggested that women who prompted the #metoo movement, who were raped, sexually assaulted, or harassed 40 years ago need to "get over it."  He compared it to the McCarthy Era. EXCUSE ME!?  Being a woman, and also a victim, this was extremely offensive.  A ridiculous ideal from what seems to be an old man bound by ignorance.  A man perceiving harassment as this has no idea what it is like to be sexualized or spoken to because of your body or gender.  A very good friend of mine sent in the most amazing and beautfully spoken rebuttle to this man's pure ignorance.  https://www.indianagazette.com/opinion/to-women-girls-everywhere-i-am-with-you/article_6a7cf34e-fdfe-11e7-aa28-13e4ab5fc2d5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

It started to terrify me to think about raising a daughter in these times.  In 2018, there still remains so much ignorance within our country about women, minorities, genders, races, ect.  How women can be perceived is disgusting, and it makes me want to help the nation make a change.

I recently read an article (I searched high and low to reference this article, but damned if I can find it) where a woman was talking about how she was raised to "be sweet".  She made a commitment to her daughters to change this. She talked about the challenges she is facing amongst her family to raise her daughters to "be kind" rather than sweet.  She stated in the article something about teaching our daughters that being kind and standing up for themselves, is vastly different than being a "sweet" doormat.

As a woman I have been sexually harassed.  Thankfully, my parents didn't raise a "sweet" woman.  They raised a woman to be strong, kind, independent, and to be able to stand up for herself.  And in my predicament I stood up for myself and took back the power that the man harassing me was trying to gain. 

I plan on doing the same with my daughter, making her kind, yet strong.  Powerful, independent, and  empowering her.  I don't want her to become a victim, ever.  If, some day she finds herself in an uncomfortable situation, I want her to be able to stand up for herself without getting the blame.  I want her to take charge of her life, and shout to the world #metoo!