Being surrounded by kind, intelligent, giving, and strong women is a blessing. I should know! I have been married to my best friend and the mother of my children since December 2001. It has been an incredible journey that has taken us across the Pacific Ocean and back. I cannot imagine spending my life with someone else.
Five beautiful young princesses call me Daddy, all of which call Indonesia their home (even though they have United States passports).
The idea of International Women's Day does not go unnoticed by me. Not only am I blessed to be both husband and father, I have lived life with my family in a country that is very different from the one I grew up in.
I believe that women should have freedom!
I abhor the fact that rape, slavery, trafficking, child marriage, and the like still exist in our world. It saddens me to know that the majority of victims of these atrocities are women and girls. It saddens me even more that men are not taking a stand. Not only are men not taking a stand, we (as a whole) are participating in the abuse and objectification of women.
And that must stop. We must change ...
- our cultural biases against women
- our objectification of their bodies
- the minimization of their minds and intellect
- the rationalization of our distasteful thoughts
- the denial of our misdeeds
I hope and I dream of a better future, but all I see is a fallen and a broken world - a world where women are commonly used by men. This must stop! It has to stop, or history will condemn us for enslaving an entire gender. I do not want this for my wife and daughters. I want them to experience freedom.
I believe that this freedom should be for all women!
But freedom is not just those that I care about most or for women whom I interact with on a daily basis. Freedom should be experienced by all women, regardless of language, nationality, ethnicity, or religion.
If we honestly examine our hearts, we must attempt that the effort to bring about freedom rarely touches all the corners of the world. We gladly demonstrate and march, but rarely do we take enough action for ...
- women who don't have a roof to sleep under tonight
- women who have been purchased to sleep in a strange man's bed
- women from ethnic minority people groups who are being raped and killed by invading forces
- women who are oppressed by religious and cultural traditions.
The freedom that I speak of should be for all women, both at home and abroad.
- For women who look just like you and those who do not.
- For those who trust your God, those who worship 1000 gods, or those who curse the name of God.
- For every woman, regardless of body shape or dress size.
- For every woman, from the womb to the cradle to the grave.
I want my daughters to enjoy FREEDOM!
I have hopes and dreams for my daughters. I want them to live in a world that is better than mine but prepare them to live in a world that is worse. I want to help equip them to face their future challenges as well as enjoy the blessings that may come their way.
I want them to be free. Free to ...
- defend their bodies
- seek an appropriate education (4-year college, community college, no college, apprenticeship)
- marry if that is what they choose
- be a mother if that is what they choose
- choose a career or choose to be a homemaker
- make a difference for their generation and the generations that will come
Final Thoughts
International Women's Day is not lost on me. I have too much at stake. I have too many ladies in my life for me to "forget" about the huge need. I have seen too many women from all parts of the world to dismiss this movement as something that stays at home.
I cannot change the world by myself, but I can start taking action where I live with those around me. I choose to do this so that my wife and daughters (and their daughters and their daughters) can experience freedom.
5 daughters!? God speed. ;)
Huge blessing and honor to be the dad of 5 daughters. I am always praying for more patience, and it seems like God is teaching me through my kiddos.
kalau boleh saya menuliskan pandangan saya tentang pendapat saudara, saya sangat setuju kebebesan, tapi secara pribadi saya mendukung kebebesan dalam aturan, maksudnya bukan kebebesan sebebas-bebasnya, kita hidup dalam sebuah aturan negara, kita hidup dalam aturan agama dan kepercayaan (maaf, bagi yang meyakini agama), tentu kebebesan yang kita pilih dan kita jalani mesti tidak melanggar dengan ketentuan agama kita, tidak melanggar moralitas kemanusian, tidak melanggar kodrati kita sebagai manusia dengan intelegensi paling tinggi dan mulia, tapi hanya sekedar pendapat, semua terserah pada kita masing-masing,,(maaf saya tidak bisa bahasa inggris, saya tertarik dengan ulasan dan pendapat saudara, sehingga saya memberika komentar)
Trims atas pandangan! Saya seseorang yang percaya kepada Tuhan. Karena itu ada peraturan (namanya Hukan Allah) yang saya menaati. Tapi saya tidak hidup dibawah Hukum Allah. Saya hidup dalam anguerah Allah.
Kebebasan yang saya harap untuk istri and anak-anakku bukan kebebasan manusia. Yang saya harap adalah kebebasan yang dari Tuhan. Bebas dari dosa, kematian, dan kejahatan.
I have a friend. He has 10 sisters :D
Poor soul! They'll beat him up worse than brothers would! I should know ;)
Wowzy xD
Thanks for this @sumatranate. Really appreciated by me as a woman. I keep hopes with you, that someday every woman shall be empowered as she truly is.
Thanks for the comment. I always appreciate when someone tells me that one of my posts connects with them. I truly desire that my daughters feel empowered both today and in the future.
Well if i didn't know better i would have said you are a feminist.
But I'm thankful that I do know better.
The rate of objectification of women in this part of the world(africa) is alarming. You hear guys and men talk about them as if they are some piece of furniture.
This should not be!
They are fragile, yes. But they are not dolls and should not be treated as one.
I grew up with all brothers and my mum has had a major impact on who I am today. She is the smartest and most assiduous person I know, yet she is a woman. Although I still have a dad, she does a lot more than him.
Same applies for some women out there who are strong through the rains and storms and who have impacted more than some men who disrespect them ever will.
They deserve to be celebrated, loved, cared for and respected.
I wish 'em a graceful happy women's day!
Awesome piece @sumatranate
My regards to your wife and princesses!😏
My desire for freedom and reconciliation is not reserved for a specific gender, religious affiliate, nationality, etc. I hope that you knew that :)
I have seen my wife walk through many challenges that I might back away from. There is a beauty a couple's strengths and weakness compliment each other. I hope to be there for her when she is down. I know she is there for me when I am down.
I am glad to hear how much you admire you mother. Keep it up!
thank you for standing up for women and speaking out agains these atrocities. it's always heartening for me to see men willing to use their energy/time/resources/voice to bring it to our attention that these things are not only still happening, but need to change. your daughters are blessed to have a father whose eyes are open <3
I have the opportunity to impact the lives of 6 ladies each and every day. It is an incredible privilege and responsibility. I hope that I can advocate for others like I desire to advocate for the ladies in my life.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Wowza this is such a powerful post. It gave me chills! These are words that EVERYONE needs to hear. If we all come together and fight for good to prevail over these particularly heinous examples of evil...that's when change is going to happen.
You have an amazing attitude of gratitude! You must really have your hands full with five daughters. I grew up with one sister and we were bickering constantly. Lol
Thanks for kind words and encouragement. I do hope for great change. We have to make sure we are addressing heart issues and not just the outward actions that we can see.
I am blessed by my 5 princesses. Somedays are tougher than others, but I find that having more children gives them more options on who to play with when they are made one sister.
Enjoying watching you and @shenanigator on your @tangerinetravel adventures.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ahh that's very true. I suppose with my sister and I, we just had/have each other to bug in good times and bad. ;p
Thanks for continuing to follow along on our journey!
Agree with you, women should be given freedom they deserve it! May yours and your daughters all dreams come true!
Thanks for the comment. I hope the same!
I just wanna say: THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the Lessons
Regard
It is an honor to pass along what I am learning and what is convicting my heart. Thanks @el-nailul!
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