In Protest at all this Strong Women Bullshit

Summary

Susie Kearley challenges the societal pressure on women to always be strong, advocating for the acceptance of weakness and the value of simpler living.

Abstract

Susie Kearley expresses her frustration with the media's portrayal of 'strong women' as the ideal, suggesting that this narrative can be harmful by implying that feeling weak or struggling is not acceptable. She argues that it's important to recognize and accept one's limitations, and that there is strength in vulnerability and in seeking help. Kearley emphasizes that not everyone can or should embody the stereotype of strength, and that mental health can suffer under the weight of these expectations. She promotes the idea that everyone has a valuable role in society, regardless of their strength, and that happiness and productivity do not depend on fitting into a mold of being a 'strong woman'.

Opinions

The emphasis on strong, influential women can send the wrong message, suggesting that it's not OK to feel weak or to struggle.
It's acceptable and sometimes necessary to feel beaten or to give up the fight, especially in the face of life's challenges such as illness, death, or economic hardship.
Strength is not solely defined by leadership or the ability to influence; it can also be found in everyday productivity and in fulfilling important roles.
The media's focus on 'strong women' may contribute to mental health issues by setting unrealistic standards.
Accepting one's own limitations and finding joy in simple living is more important than striving to be strong.
Asking for help is a sign of maturity and self-care, not weakness.
The narrative that women must be strong, inspirational, and successful undermines the value of ordinary, struggling women.
The same societal pressures applied to women also affect men, who are often expected to be the 'pillar of strength'.
Self-acceptance and seeking support are key to wellbeing, and everyone's contribution to society is valuable, regardless of individual strength.

Sometimes it’s OK to be weak

I see calls for stories about ‘strong women’ from magazine editors and it irritates me because I feel it sends a message that we must always be strong, and if we’re not, that’s a problem. Am I alone?

Our society puts a massive amount of emphasis on strong, influential, inspirational women. That’s nice for them, but is it giving the wrong message? It’s OK to feel weak sometimes. It’s OK to struggle, to live quietly, and to just be you.

Life can be a battle, especially during a pandemic. Sometimes loved ones get ill or die. Your own health falters. Perhaps your livelihood is in tatters because of economic woes or layoffs.

It’s OK to feel beaten, to feel weak, to cry and let your emotions out. There’s a certain strength in struggling through when life throws crap at you, but there’s nothing wrong with giving up the fight and just letting life take you whatever way it goes, either. It’s also OK to feel like you’re *never* particularly strong. We don’t all have to be leaders or influencers. We don’t all have to be fighters.

We can all be skilled and productive individuals. Everyone has important roles to fulfil. You are no less of a person if you don’t feel strong.

Mental health has been a big issue for many people in recent years, and I wonder if all this media focus on ‘strong women’ just adds to the problem.

Not everyone can be strong, and there’s nothing wrong with being weak. If you feel fragile, you might just need to live a simpler life. I thrive on simple living and don’t feel I’m particularly strong. But I have a positive role to play in society, a great husband, two adorable guinea pigs and a happy life.

And I avoid stressful situations and conflict, because I know I’m not great at handling them.

Accepting who you are is more important than being strong; accepting life’s limitations and finding pleasure in the good stuff can be beneficial to your wellbeing.

Acceptance means you’re less self-critical. Asking for help and support when you need it is a sign of maturity. Being comfortable in your own skin and getting help if necessary — that’s a sign of understanding and self-care.

We’re not all superheroes, we’re not all particularly strong, but we’re all valuable people. This idea that we must all be strong, inspirational, successful etc, just feeds the narrative that ordinary struggling women aren’t good enough.

Which is, frankly, the biggest load of bollocks I’ve ever heard.

Yes, we want to overcome our problems, but all this ‘strong women’ nonsense just gets on my nerves. And how about men? Doesn’t the same go for stereotypical male role models as being the pillar of strength?

Signed off by a happy, productive, weakling. 🤣

Anyone with me?