"Have you ever been told not to speak unless spoken to? Or maybe someone told you never to speak unless you had something nice to say. Many people ~ especially women ~ have been shamed into being quiet about something at some point in their lives."
Christiane Northrup M.D.
Children are to be seen and not heard; You are still wet behind the ears; You don't know what you are talking about; and other adult directives filled our childhood years. There were inconsistencies when an adult was crying, but telling the children everything was wonderful. And before family gatherings there were always instructions about not telling any one that Dad lost his job or Bobby got kicked out of college or mother had a disease. These were the family rules of silence. The family's real secret, however, was never mentioned at all.
Children, especially girls, were often confused about what was appropriate and so they remained silent. If they were brave enough to offer a statement they were anxious about the risk of speaking. At what cost can one share their dreams, fears, or needs?
Women are currently stepping forward to finally express themselves, regardless of the price they pay. Whether it be demotion, ridicule, harassment or punishment, the fear is no longer worse than the repression of the self. After the years of silence accumulate, there comes a time when the voice can no longer be still. It yearns to be free.
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