Saturday, May 8, 2010

What makes you a thoroughly modern woman?

Mel is organizing blog friends to complete the free BPS class "All About Me" as a group, and I've joined the fun!  Here's the lid of the box which will house my accordion album.  The box is chipboard, painted antique white and embellished with ribbon and paper from the Studio 45 Domestic Goddess line. 
My album is all about me as a throughly modern woman.  I want to focus on ideas of femininity and what in means to be a woman in today's world. 
What pictures would you take to focus on what it means to be a throughly modern woman?  All thoughts and ideas welcome!

13 comments:

  1. What a great challenge. Can't wait to see your album. My image of a modern woman is a woman dressed in a business suit with a bag of groceries in one arm, a baby on her hip, a messenger bag slung over her arm, and a dog on a leash. Shows how busy we all are with every aspect of life and what we have to juggle on a daily basis.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another thought provoking post!
    I think that women have always been multi-taskers and in times of hardship, they are dependable and adaptable. No one knows what they are capable of until they are made to try something new and over the years women have constantly had to take on previously traditional male roles.
    I love the joke that says:
    People say that behind every great man is a woman. The truth is, that in front of every great woman is some man hogging the limelight!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha, Debs' quote made me smile!

    However, I wonder about it... I think a "Thoroughly Modern" woman expects a much more equal partnership with her husband/partner/significant other. I know many women who are still doing all the traditional "women's work" jobs, but so many of them are getting to the point where they say "No more" and either go out and get a - often professional - job, or demand that DH pulls his weight at home and/or a divorce will be on the cards.
    I also know a number of women who are single parents -either through choice or circumstance. They all work amazingly hard to support their child(ren) and cope wonderfully well. Men are not necessary for them to function as a woman; however when they do find a partner, they expect an equal relationship and won't stand for the old spoiled-brat baby tactics, or old-fashioned demarcation lines between "his" jobs and "her" jobs.
    My DH is a wonderful man. I am extremely lucky. He does his share with love, care and pride and I really appreciate him.
    Along with what makes a "Thoroughly Modern Woman", I wonder what would now be considered a "Thoroughly Modern Man"?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hm...interesting question and I love your twist on the theme for this project. I suppose we could say that one thing that makes us modern women is our blogging connection. :o)

    Leave it to you to already have your cover done! I have barely started thinking about what I'll use for mine.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, love where you're taking this! Such a thought-provoking question.... I don't know if I can offer much, I'm afraid, perhaps I'm just not all that modern! I have followed quite a traditional route. I guess though it's about choice; I stayed at home with my young children because I chose to do it, not because it was expected of me. I can't wait to see your completed project! xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Interesting Rinda, I may be stumped on this one. I consider myself a thoroughly modern woman, but would my adult daughters think that? I have worked in the professional world all of my adult life, raised my daughters alone, did volunteer work and involved in my community, owned and cared for my own home and did all the laundry, cooking and home repair. I think that I have always worked and loved well. It will be interesting to see what you do with this.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great twist on this project. I'm not sure what photos I would take to illustrate it though. I chose to stay at home with my young children too; but I know that wouldn't be right for everyone. I'll be interested to see what you come up with.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Me again. I'm back because I realised I had forgotten to wish you a Happy Mothers Day

    ReplyDelete
  9. MMMM... what an interesting theme to use on this one! Totally love the idea and the box - I'm also at the just beginning to cogitate about where to go with mine.

    There are such a variety of routes open - so I guess diversity needs a feature - but beyond that I'm not sure. It will beinteresting to see your interaction with this issue.

    So looking forward to this. Hugs Cherry XXX (Happy M's Day)

    ReplyDelete
  10. a thoroughly modern woman is as unique as we all are - and is totally ok with it! i have a very traditional career teaching young children, but have chosen not to have any of my own. i love my home, but choose to have someone else clean it. i'm so glad we live in a time where we don't feel like there is only one right way to be. such a fun project, Rinda, and i can't wait to see your finished product.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great idea and as for the answer to your q ? I would say todays modern woman is one who is making herself happy as part of life instead of just being there for others, so it goes without saying that she must be able to multi task

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your take on this project, and so enjoyed reading everyone's comments. For me the modern woman has choices that earlier generations didn't feel they had. I had a modern mother. She didn't marry until she was 35 and except for a few years when we were very young, she taught school. She did, however, try to do it all and paid for it, I think, in exhaustion. She looks tired in nearly every photo. I have always worked, but I had a job that allowed me to be home during school vacations and I could do much of my work at home. Most importantly I found a husband who shared the load. For photos, I guess I'd try the same approach folks took during A Week in the Life--capturing the many things you do on a regular basis.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Interesting take on the project. For me I think a modern woman is one who can make choices that previous generations of women could not - either in the house/work or even whether to remain single or not to have children. I chose to stay at home when my children were young but that decision is not for everyone and that is OK. Not sure what photos I would take though.

    ReplyDelete