Only if Life was written by a man

I have been a woman for a fair share of my life & I have read women in fiction. They have been painted in a variety of ways over the years, from damsels in distress to strong, independent heroines. However, the reality of being a woman in the real world is far different from what you see in the mainstream media & fiction. And this makes me wonder only if life was as easy as it is written by a man. Psst....Of course as a woman!

Like I said I talk from experience ;)

Your average real woman faces a great deal of sexism and discrimination on a daily basis. For a simple example let's see; take a woman advancing in her career rather quickly, she would be deemed as someone as 'easily available' or ready to give 'extra efforts' while a man would be applauded for the same achievement & termed as 'hardworking' or 'determined'. I mean the idea that women who are out of their four walls in the world are of 'loose' character is nothing new to the public sphere. While there are certain examples of women in fiction facing discrimination and bias, these experiences are often downplayed or resolved much more quickly and easily than they would be in real life. In reality, women are often paid less than men for the same work, face harassment and objectification, and are subject to gender-based violence and abuse.

Often in fiction, there is a pigeonholed or categorized representation. The roles are limited and shoved into particular archetypes say the love interest, the sidekick, or the nurturing mother. In real-life women are far more diverse in terms of their interests, experiences, and personalities. As per fiction, they have only one job either be an object of love or adoration as a beautiful woman or respect as a great mother while in real life women may be athletes, scientists, artists, or business leaders, and still be a full-time mother, sister daughter & friends. One such character is in the novel "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks, the female protagonist, Allie, faces the issue of choosing between two men: her current fiancé and her first love. While this could be seen as a significant issue, it is presented in a mild manner in the novel and is easily solved. Allie ultimately decides to choose her first love, and the resolution is presented as a happy ending. Although Allie faces some emotional turmoil in the process of making her decision, the issue is ultimately resolved without much struggle or adversity. One might enjoy the progress there is little space for anything else.

While romantic relationships are certainly an important part of life, they are not the ultimate goal for everyone. Real women may prioritize their careers, friendships, or personal growth over finding a romantic partner - but this is not always reflected in media portrayals of women. They are always looking for love or their "Prince Charming". There are multiple emotions and experiences as a real woman which are rather simplified into one-dimensional characters who are either "good" or "bad," "strong" or "weak." In reality, women experience a wide range of emotions and have complex inner lives. They may be confident and self-assured in some situations, but vulnerable and uncertain in others. Just take any woman in your life into consideration irrespective of your bond with her. Do you really find them bickering or worrying about only & only one thing in life? ( That too the overselling cliche love)

Let me jot down a quick plot & you see for yourself if it feels like a woman written by a man or not.

Bella was a woman who knew how to savor life. Her love of good food, fine wine, and luxurious fabrics were matched only by her passion for her work as a fashion designer. She had a keen eye for detail and a talent for creating beautiful designs that brought joy to her clients. Deeply in love, she was blessed with a  partner, Tom. They had been together for five years and their love only grew stronger with time. Tom was a kind and supportive partner, and they shared a deep emotional and physical connection that fueled their relationship. Together, Ella and Tom enjoyed exploring the world, trying new foods, and indulging in their shared love of art and culture. They also cherished quiet moments at home, cuddled up together watching movies or reading books.

When reading women in fiction and women in real life are two entirely different things. It's important to remember that while fictional stories can be entertaining and inspiring, they often fall short of accurately representing the diverse experiences of real-life women. Acknowledging these differences and striving for more accurate and nuanced portrayals of women in media is needed. I suggest & request that we create for much characters that are true to real life and also encourage writers who are creating the magic of realism.  

Seems, fair? Tell me what you think. 

If you have suggestions you can leave them in the comments or write an email to rewajoshi@gmail.com also if you wish to follow me on Instagram my handle is rewa.writes

Thank you for reading!🌻