Rantings of a Work Wife

It's 2009 and women living in the United States of America are still an oppressed people. It was my understanding that the Feminist movement was all about a woman's right to choose what she wanted out of life. But yet it still seems like there is this long list of shoulds looming over the heads of woman today. You should get married. You should have children. You should climb the corporate ladder. You should stay at home with the kids. You should be thin. You should dress fashionably. You should be an excellent cook. You should be a home owner. You should know how to change a tire. And the shoulds go on and on. But the truth is woman don't fit into one mold and what equals success for one woman is not success for another.

I'm curious to know where these should messages originate from? Is it just that when there is a lag in a conversation people choose to harp on the one item they think you are lacking. Isn't it in poor taste to push your ideas on someone who otherwise might be happy with their position in life?
Why is it okay to say to a stay-at-home Mom, "You ever think about going back to school to do something with your life?" If her husband and children are prospering than she is doing something with her life.

Why is it okay to say to a single woman who is a business owner or executive, "When are you going to take some time off to get married and have a baby?" Is the assumption that all woman feel incomplete if they aren't looking after a man and children? It downplays the accomplishments and advancements this woman has made in her career.

Why is it okay to ask a working mother, like myself, "How can you leave your kids all day?" Is the assumption that a good Mom spends every waking moment with her children. Earning money to care for the children's needs is also important and necessary.

I really dislike the way these shoulds separate woman and pit them against one another. The single Moms don't associate with the married Moms. Women without formal education shy away from associating with college graduates. Life takes us on many twists and turns and before you know it you could be in the position you once judged. Everyone has a point of view and something to contribute to society. Let's try to stop saddling woman with a long list of shoulds and celebrate our individual accomplishments.