Dear Drolma, since you say you are raising a little girl....Drolma wrote:Indeed. It's probably better to consider how we do or do not perpetuate a culture that leans towards male-domination (gosh I don't like that phrase) now and in the future, rather than focusing too much on the awesomeness of women. Certainly nobody disagrees about the awesomeness of females!
Seriously though, if the Buddha said this is how it's going to go, I have to consider how I personally am adding to the situation. That sort of investigation might be fruitful for practice, insofar as insight, mindfulness and outer conduct. After all I am raising a little girl. This is good householder stuff.
I am forever thankful to my beloved parents, grandmother and brother that they raised me the way they did.
My parents always wanted a girl , (so did all my later partners.)
I was loved and supported.
I was given all the education that was possible.
I was never confronted with gender bias, on the contrary.
In my family men and women are absulutely on the same level, each gender admires and supports the other.
I can't believe I was so lucky, to live with those beautiful, wonderful people.
My family has always resisted bias and discrimination, on all levels, also Hitler.
This almost cost my father his life, an incredibly brave and truthful man.
I don't understand to this day how my grandmother was never even touched by the SS with her open and bold resistance.
This is what you get when you raise a girl to be a brave woman, conscious of her value, her talents, her special gifts to this world, her responsibilty and her duty to make it a better, a more peaceful and compassionate place. With the good will to support the weaker ones.
I wish you all the braveness and confidence to give your girl a good start.