Food for Thought: Independent Women
What does it mean to be an independent woman? Are there specific standards woman must meet in order to be considered independent women?
We are all different, so independence will look different for everyone. Sometimes it is easy to judge one another by the lack or presence of independence.
Independent can shortly be defined as, “not depending on another". When you hear the word independent you probably either immediately think of Destiny’s Child and their song actually titled “Independent Woman” or the song “Miss Independent” from the one and only, Ne-yo. Classic and iconic.
“Independent woman” has become a pop culture term and the idea of an independent woman is controlled and constantly being recreated by the media, making us question whether being an “independent woman” is what we truly desire. Does society actually respect independent women?
This term is personal and unique to each woman and can signify completely different truths of independence than of what the media and society defines independence to be.
Independence can be intimidating! We often (well, I know I do) live in our own little worlds and are often surprised to discover that how we carry ourselves impacts how others feel around us. Independence can exist in different ways and in different realms of our life. Financial independence may look different than emotional independence and one is not “better” than the other.
Ne-yo, the ultimate and most credible source, sings about an independent woman that pays her own bills and doesn’t need help from a man, but independence is more than a woman who doesn’t need a man. Similar to being a hustler, an independent woman defines herself and paves her own path. The world may say you’re an independent woman because you don’t need a man but it is so much more than that.
Being an independent woman is not strictly aligned with the societal norms. You determine why and how you’re an independent woman. Women are all different and in more ways than one, so our independence will also look different. Don’t let society tell you what you are and are not based on their standards. Live by your own and shatter the worlds expectations of you. Independent women. PPG Hustlers.
xoxo