The Age of Women

For the past decade I’ve been watching a trend. As a result of my observations, I’ve begun to call this time in America, “The Age of Women.”

In general, the women I see in the workplace and community are better educated and more relevant than the men of their age and background. They are focused on doing good things. They tend to have more gravitas and be harder working than their male peers.

And while there are still plenty of men who resent and mistreat women, and would deny them a chance to prove themselves, it is a time of unprecedented opportunity for women.

If you ask me it is not only well overdue but also just in time.

My daughters and granddaughters live in a time when they can do pretty much anything they want to do with their lives. They can be, as I told my daughters from the crib, the president of just about anything.

For the record: It’s not that I love Lee or Tino any less than I love Lyssha, Nicole, Natalie and Aria, Analiese, Ali, Ame, Viktoria, Rikelle or Angel. (Or Olivia – who will be here soon!) I’ve just always wanted them to have the same prospects for life, liberty and happiness as anyone else.

I’ve used the phrase, “The Age of Women” many times in the past month or so, and the reactions to my phrase have been fascinating. Women tend to agree, but some point out the barriers still to be overcome.

A sense of reality is important, but ladies, an understanding of how many barriers have been broken down already should give you the confidence to remove the roadblocks remaining.

The responses of men seem to be related to their age, education and maturity. Believe it or not, fairly well-educated, middle-aged men are mostly in agreement and very positive.

The peers of the well-educated thirty-something women, however, express skepticism and find excuses. “There are more scholarships for women,” they whine, “more programs, more help, etc.” Non-minority men, according to one, are the only people who have to raise themselves by their bootstraps.

Sorry boys, I’m just not buying it.

As long as there has been an America, men have always had more opportunity – and still do in many places! The women I see just out prepare and out work them. In the past, their preparation, work and skill has meant little.

Finally, there seems to be a sense of justice.

So boys, stop the complaining and go work as hard as your mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters are doing, and get something worthwhile done.

And ladies, you go out there and take hold of every opportunity you want. Continue to knock down every obstacle. Persist in doing what your critics have said you could not do.

I’m hoping that your increased influence and contribution will make this world we live in just a little bit better than it has been.