A middle-class woman goes to college, catches the eye of a prince, and plans a fairytale wedding. Isn’t that every girl’s dream? For some women, maybe. For others like me, I suggest we dream bigger.
I wanted to write this post about one of the issues I am passionate about: how lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights are progressing in some schools and regressing in others; how one in four of our college-age sisters is a survivor of sexual assault; or how women, on average, still make 77 cents to the dollar of what men make (Carrie Lukas should check the facts). But, alas, I’m writing about Kate Middleton, because no matter how hard I try, I can’t get away from the media coverage.
I turn on CNN, visit Fox News online, and flip channels to Lifetime. I am bombarded. I should love her. I should want to be her, right?
Even as a white, middle-class, heterosexual woman who has every intention of marrying someday, I don’t get what’s so appealing about Middleton’s situation. What ideal of womanhood is her “dream wedding” promoting? What message is being sent to young girls about how their lives and relationships should turn out? Middleton is celebrated as the luckiest woman in the world. But what happens when girls and women don’t fit into this ideal of womanhood that includes heterosexuality, marriage, beauty, and wealth?
What exactly has Middleton accomplished to warrant our admiration? Is she the ideal woman because she is “marrying up,” has great fashion sense, and owns fabulous jewelry? If so, I suggest it is time to pursue a new dream, one based on an ideal defined by her intellect, accomplishments, leadership, character, and compassion.
Middleton’s dream is not my dream. She is not the everywoman. Many of us dream of a life that values education, a career, giving back to the community, and having your own identity apart from your husband’s.
So, please, as you recover from Friday morning’s media frenzy, think about and challenge the ideals of womanhood that are being promoted.
This post was written by National Student Advisory Council member Cat Cleary.
I agree with you Janet. Not every woman has that kind of dream as Kate has. But I admire their wedding, just simply beautiful. How proud the Middletons must be. Catherine and William make a lovely couple. Wish their marriage will be forever.
I agree with you that it is not my dream either, I value my privacy and living a life which is in the public eye 24/7 is not my idea of life. I admire her though and good luck to them, they are after all the new generation of royals and I have respect for what they are doing…
I agree with Janet. Yes, the media frenzy was “over the top” but there are many roles in life. William did not get to choose his, fortunately, Kate got to choose hers. Hopefully, she will help him cope with the life and responsibilities he has been assigned simply as a result of his birth.
I agree that, in general, there is too much emphasis on fairy tales, skin deep beauty, and other shallow issues in young womens’ lives, but Kate seems to have thought out her decision and I wish them well.
There are those who will only look at the pomp and circumstance of the wedding, the dress, the pageantry…..but I am hoping, like Janet above, that Kate’s maturity and education will carry any good works she does farther and with more depth of thought than it would have otherwise. Let’s give her a chance.
I think that Kate Middleton’s Mother planned this union earlier in her life than we all planned our education choices. God Bless them and I pray that their reasons and intent work out for the best. I don’t feel that preparing to marry for the ‘better’ is the plan that we should encourage our youth, especially our girls. I don’t have a good feeling about this however, I think the world is jaded and we can talk ourselves into just about anything we want to believe in such as, believing in fairytale weddings and lifestyles.
The world Kate Middleton has chosen by marrying Prince William is a difficult and frightening one. She will have to fight for every bit of privacy and independence in her life. She knew William for nine years. I think she thought long and hard about all the negatives of her future with him, but decided she loved him and wanted to work and live by his side. She is 29, and a college graduate, not a giddy young girl. I wish her the best and hope her life will serve as a model of how one can contribute to bettering the world. She has a special power now to this because of her position. I wish her well.
Hi Janet! I agree wholheartedly with you.