HIGH-BROW
I recently read a couple of essays written by two women whom I presume to be non-Christians reflecting on the impact of the Sexual Revolution on feminism and what it means to be a woman in the current age. Primarily, it was fascinating to see them come to conclusions that healthy (this qualifier is intentional) Christianity has been advocating for all along from a secular point of view.
Both women point out that the hallmark of the Sexual Revolution - that women can and should feel the freedom to have sex with no emotions attached - is now being used against us. They admit that there has to be some generalization; not every woman works the same, and not every man does, either. But I think writer Louise Perry puts it well:
It’s precisely because I’m a feminist that I’ve changed my mind on sexual liberalism. It’s an ideology premised on the false belief that the physical and psychological differences between men and women are trivial, and that any restrictions placed on sexual behavior must therefore have been motivated by malice, stupidity or ignorance.
What the Sexual Revolution told women was that we need to be more like men. We don’t. We are different, how we function differently matters and should be celebrated, and the patriarchy is doing its best work by making us conform to be more like itself. What started as a needed push to put women on the same playing field as men has in many ways gone too far, asserting that our equality with men is tied to our similarity to men. It’s hopeful to see that the tide is maybe beginning to turn.
LOW-BROW
Bohnanza - Some friends introduced me to this game earlier in August and it is a blast and a half. I’ve never played anything like it, but the gist is that you “grow” beans and then trade for the kinds you need to grow your crop. Your goal is to harvest your crops, plant new ones, and continue harvesting in order to be the person with the most coins at the end. You really learn who your true friends are when the trades get cut throat - makes for a great game night!
New Haircuts - There’s just nothing better than getting a haircut. It feels like a fresh start and shakes you out of your mundane routine a bit. My hair had gotten really long and it was heavy and hot and taking forever to dry and I was bored, so I chopped it to collarbone length. We’ll see if my wavy/curly hair that trends frizzy makes me hate it, but for now, it feels fun!
IN CONCLUSION
I’m at home visiting my family this week, and I was supposed to bring Bohnanza to teach them, but I left it in Washington :/ We’ll get’em next time!
Have a great week, friends!
Currently Reading: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, Bomb Shelter: Love, Time and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott, and Going There (audiobook) by Katie Couric