Until recently, I thought that the weirdest thing about coming of age was getting used to the term “woman.” Worse than when I am called “ma’am,” is being 20 years old and described as a woman. I’m not a woman - my mom and my professors are, but I’m not. I am a college student, plain and simple.
But that was before I realized why I shy away from that term.
Recently, I was borrowing a blouse, and one of the buttons fell off. Although it wasn’t my fault, I knew I had to be the one to fix it. The problem is I didn’t know how.
I can’t sew on a button.
It wasn’t such a big deal until I thought about what that symbolized. While I like to think I know everything, I lack what may be crucial to my next step into womanhood.
I am woman, watch me hide.
Sewing is not the only thing I can’t do. I can’t cook - anything not labeled Kraft that is - I don’t bake, and I certainly wouldn’t apply for a job with Molly Maid.
It’s true, I could never be a 1950s woman. I sure am not going to prepare dinner for my husband while he is at work one day.
Women have fought long to get rid of this “domesticated” female who stays home to cook. So why do I long for some of these skills?
It’s a matter of ignorance. Maybe my mom never taught the skills as hers did, perhaps I couldn’t care less about learning them.
While I don’t plan on being a stay-at-home mom, I think I need these “domesticated” skills.
My lack of knowledge about sewing or cleaning helps me realize that I am hurting myself. Knowing how to do these skills does not mean that I will single-handedly set back women’s liberation 50 years, in fact, I think it will help.
By not learning these skills, I’m actually hurting the independence I declare from society. It makes me depend on other people. I have to go to restaurants when I want to feed my friends, and I have to go to a seamstress to fix my clothes.
After a three-hour practice session between me and 50 buttons, I have made a step toward independence from inability to do those chores.
I am woman, watch me sew - and eventually grow.
Rachel Wright, State News business and environment reporter, can be reached at wrightr9@msu.edu.
