«And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone;
I will make him a helper comparable to him ‘
Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man
He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man» (Genesis 2: 18, 22).
FEMININITY is implicit in a woman’s nature. It’s the set of qualities and attributes that make us different from men. It provides identity and allows us to accept masculinity without engaging in a gender war; instead, it leads us to complementarity.
We are feminine by creation, not by choice. It’s undeniable that God made us feminine and, therefore, suitable to perform certain kinds of tasks that help us find meaning in life differently than men. However, there are many women who seek to «get rid o?’ the feminine element they see in themselves, assuming manly attitudes, by wrongfully trying to seek equality between men and women.
As mothers, we have a duty before God to train our girls in femininity, so they will acknowledge they are special and in a position of equality, but never «uniformity,» in comparison to boys. Being a woman is a challenge that’s worth taking on, especially when the feminine and masculine are thought to be mostly abstractions getting ever harder to define in this «unisex» culture.
Womens emotional, spiritual and intellectual dimensions are well-defined and implicit in their nature; it isn’t a matter of «preference.» Let us not be mistaken: those who are born women are feminine, even if they try to be the opposite. It’s a basic lesson our girls should learn from their mother’s precept and example. Will you teach it to your daughter?
Today is the day to begin. If you haven’t done so yet, model for your daughter the image of a woman who is proud to be one. Don’t complain about the way in which some of society’s sectors perceive what’s masculine and what’s feminine, or disdain the very precious qualities that the Lord has put in you to develop throughout your life. On the contrary, keep on cultivating them; polish them, use them and put them into practice. Be the maker of your own life and not just a spectator of what’s happening in front of you.
Responsibly assume your position as a woman in your family, your church, and your job; and be a referent for so many young women who feel lost in this society that disdains God’s design for men and women.