I just don't understand sometimes....

More than once in my life I have paused from whatever I was doing and thanked God, Allah, my lucky stars, Mother Earth and the intelligent universe at large for having been born where and when I was. Not only was I born in the West, free from extreme oppression under religious law, but I was born to a generation endowed with opportunities and freedoms that outstrip those of all previous generations. I can vote, own property and sign legal documents; things that my grandmother couldn’t necessarily do. Being an airline pilot is just as, if not more feasible than being an airline attendant. My education, independence and profession are the prime factors most people use when deciding if I am “successful” or not. The fact that at 25 I am unmarried goes not only (generally) unquestioned but is seen as a testament to my ambition and the loftiness of my personal and professional goals – I am free from a stigma that actively pursued my mothers’ generation.

Freedom from these stigmas hasn’t come cheap. Women in previous generations worked hard for these, and we continue to work hard to keep them and get more. We work hard for our independence and as a reward get to go where and do what we want. Sometimes that means embracing derogatory terms such as “slut” or “whore” if it means having the right to define and express our physicality and sexuality however we see fit. Not saying that it’s necessary or indicative of confidence and freedom, but women today dress far less conservatively, with fewer compunctions about it than previous generations (with the exception of possibly the 70’s.) Yet (and I finally come to my point) what I truly do not understand, is why in a time when women are freely and openly expressing their sexuality through their clothing, will women not change in the locker room at the gym!

There are private little changing booths at the gym for those who wish to change in private. After working out the other day, I was untying my shoes and watched a young woman toddle in wearing giant heels (fierce one might say) a tight skirt and a low cut sweater. She looked great. Into the booth she goes and emerges moments later in spandex shorts and a sports bra. All I can think is….really? What’s with the false modestly all of a sudden? You’re clearly proud of your body (and should be) but in possibly the safest of all environments you need a private booth to change? I watched this little sequence repeat itself over and over with an array of women of all different shapes, sizes, but not age. This seems to be a habit of only women early thirties and younger. Why do they choose that moment, that place, to suddenly become (or give in to) 'modestly' and insecurity? Especially when older women walk around in their none-sies, seemingly without compunction. I envy that. The confidence and comfort to realize that, a.) nobody really cares and b.) even if they do, that's their problemo.

I am baffled by this idiosyncrasy that seems abundant with women.