The Psychology of Women
The psychology of women is important in studying psychological thinking about the diversity of women on aspects such as women’s mental health and role in society. Moreover, the contemporary analysis of the women’ experiences and ideas entail the feminist psychology (Knowles, 2014). Traditionally, the stereotype linking women to marriage, having children, and taking care of the family deprived them of their fundamental human rights. On the other hand, men were stereotyped of being the financial providers, assertive, independent, and intelligent hence career-focused relative to women. However, there has been gradual evolvement of both stereotypic perspectives. This is owed to the harmful effects of gender based stereotype that includes, but not limited to stifling individual’s expression, creativity, and professional growth among others. The hypothetical issues emerged following a comprehensive interview with my mother on various aspects surrounding her life. The interview encompassed her general life experiences from childhood until she became a responsible woman in the society. For instance, she happily narrated about her family background and childhood experiences which ultimately shaped various aspects of her later life on areas such as interests, family cohesion, work experience, and the missed opportunities. In addition, my mother’s wealthy life experience changed my perceptions about life hence women’s roles in society. My mother, Catherine was born to John Godwin and Janet on 23rd September 1957 in Chicago. Catharine asserted that her extended family had migrated from South to Chicago at the rife of discrimination of Black Americans in 1940s.
My mother cited that she was born during Martin Luther king junior’s fight for the American equal rights and opportunities for all irrespective of color, race, religion, and other prejudices. She recalled how her family changed from being in rural population to one that was mostly urban (Knowles & Cole, 2014). Catherine asserts that life in Chicago radically transformed both politically and culturally following the coming of southern immigrants. Previously, they had mainly been laborers and sharecroppers. She narrated that the many years of deprived funding for the black education in the south resulted into poor education hence less privileges in getting urban jobs. However, following the migration to the urban centre of Chicago, Catherine’s family rapidly adapted to different urban culture and took advantage of good schools. Therefore, Catharine’s parents enrolled her in the urban school for education where she worked hard and became ambitious in life. According to my mother, her extended family became part of the black population in Chicago where churches, civil society organizations, and schools were built. (Knowles & Cole, 2014). Catherine vividly remembered the kind of love and care she received from both her parents. She further cited that her mother, Janet became her main source of inspiration in life because of unending love, care, and good pieces. According to Catherine, life became meaningful since she grew up in a united family full of good virtues. Therefore, the parental love more so from her mentor, Janet, greatly contributed to her success in education.
Catherine successfully finished her schooling and enrolled for a law degree from Morehouse University. However, Catherine’s tears of joy and ambitions were met by myriad of challenges and frustrations emanating from the love for life (Mukherjee, 2008). Nonetheless, when she was at Morehouse, Catherine met the love an averagely mature smart looking man known as Ronnie. The two involved in a blissful relationship that ended into marriage despite the disapproval from her parents. Ronnie, a gunner in the Navy was so innocent that Catherine could never suspect he could be violent. However, Ronnie’s innocence changed soon after the two officially got married. At the time Catherine was four and a half months pregnant, Ronnie’s behaviors became increasingly threatening. Ronnie would constantly abuse Catherine, both emotionally and mentally; telling her that she was of no good. Ronnie became possessive, slammed doors, smashed windows, and often threw dishes outside. Catherine remorsefully recalled how she got used to “dead legs and bruised arms” though did not realize how she was isolated (Roberts et al, 2012). Arguably, Catherine did not want to forfeit her marriage having grown in a united family. Catherine only found some reprieve when Ronnie got transferred, but even then life was not easy because Ronnie neglected her despite her pregnancy. She was left to pay for her rent and take care of her expenses because Ronnie refused to send her maintenance money. This implied that Ronnie had shifted his manly role to Catherine besides violating her rights.
Moreover, Catherine recalled how she dreaded and justified her fears when she realized the Ronnie’s were intending to come home owing to the fact that they we expecting the arrival of their son. Ronnie pinned and violently attacked her against the wall despite being eight months pregnant (Matlin, 2012). However, Ronnie became happy following the birth of their son Sam such that he opted to show off to his friends. Nonetheless, Ronnie’s joy and bride were short lived because he always became angry whenever the baby cried. Therefore, Catherine knew that it was her responsibility to ensure the baby was quiet; a state that always made her stay up all night. Sam quickly learned not to cry. Soon after Sam was born, Catherine became pregnant again, this time giving birth to a bouncing baby girl, Lucy. However, Catherine fell ill during the pregnancy and had to undergo blood transfusion. Unfortunately, Ronnie could not leave Catherine alone and even marched into the transfusion room ordering Catherine to look for the children. In Catherine’s opinion, marriage was an act of perseverance thus people ought to forgive and always look at the positive side of the coin. Therefore, despite the physical and verbal abuse she was going through, Catherine did not perceive she was experiencing domestic violence. Nonetheless, she always blamed herself as though she was responsible for the abuse (Roberts et al, 2012). Catherine passed through five years of perseverance in marriage until one day Ronnie threatened to kill her in order to eliminate her from living.
Therefore, Catherine was forced to report the matter to relevant authorities and Ronnie was arrested leaving Catherine behind. Despite the arrest, Catherine regretted that Ronnie’s deprivation of right to live a free life lasted for long before she could realize her rights (Mukherjee, 2008). Catharine’s experience in marital life led to frustrations emanating from gender based violence despite that she had a good education. The majority of women in many parts of the world can give their own similar account of Catherine’s experiences in marriage. Catherine’s interview gives more insights in the history of violation of human rights including denying women equal opportunities for education, property ownership, and freedom of expression among other rights. However, the level of improvement in the fight against the violation of fundamental human rights has been revealed by the interview. Catherine recalled Martin Luther’s long fight against discrimination of the Black Americans despite her tender age (Knowles & Cole, 2014). She also learned good morals in life from her united family that had survived several frustrations of discrimination including, but not limited to race, color, and religion. This enabled her to survive marital frustrations hence keeping the marriage.
On the other hand, following my mother’s happy and accommodative interview, I was learned of her (Catherine) past life and personal experiences which she went through for her to become the woman she is today. As such, I was able to compare Catherine’s state and what takes place in the society today and people’s life in general. In fact, it became apparent that despite what one goes through in life, he/she should always remain humbled, responsible, and develop a sense of humor; these attributes were reflected throughout her entire narration of her ordeal in life. Nonetheless, I had higher expectation from my mum; she ought to be informed of her rights because this would have enabled her prevent the ordeal experiences and the frustrations which she encountered in the hands of my father, Ronnie. In fact, she could have used her education and knowledge in law to defend herself against the five years of frustrations and order in her marriage (Matlin, 2012). In addition, my mother would have applied the feministic perspective approach whose role is to defend women against socioeconomic injustices. Similarly, her law career and knowledge thereof might have enlightened her about advocating for equal rights for all humanity irrespective of whether they are male or female.
References
Knowles, J. P. & Cole, E. (2014). Woman-defined motherhood. New York, NY: Routledge.
Matlin, M. W. (2012). The psychology of women. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
Mukherjee, D. (2008). Feminism: Theories and impact. Hyderabad, India: Icfai University Press.
Roberts, L., Buchanan, M., & Roberts, R. (2012). My story, my song: Mother-daughter reflections on life and faith. Nashville: Upper Room Books.
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