Still thinking about role models

So many of the responses I got yesterday seemed to suggest that having a sense of place and purpose, of ability has more to do with inherent sense of self, with parental modeling (both good and bad) then with societal expectations.

I think I agree with that (and certainly would never argue anyone's personal experience), but I think that it's also very easy to ignore the societal pressures that result in personal behavior. I would certainly agree with the arguement that having parents who believe in you and your abilties will trump societal pressures every time (well, much of the time), and that much of the benefit of the feminist movement was having those personal and familial supports reinforced in the outside world, or alternately that the sudden lack of choice, or increase in pressure to conform, were such a shock to many people coming from a sort of cocoon of capability that they worked that much harder to make sure that they got to do what they'd always assumed they could.

This surprises me both more and less than it should. And I find it equally interesting that in families where there are clear gender role differentiations, frequently the "sexism"-for wont of a better word- comes out in subtle ways, or is ignored in favor of the whole, "My children can, shall and will succeed" thing.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in, and I continue to welcome your reflection on the subjects of feminism and role models and societal structures and dynamics.

Whoo Hoo!!

Thanks to vonnie_k, I now know that possibly my favorite movie ever, Holiday, is being released on DVD. Now, it's only available in a five pack set of other Cary Grant comedies, but considering that set also includes My Girl Friday, this is hardly a hardship.

Holiday is a really wonderful comedy with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. It's based on a Philip Barry play, and it's the sort of movie you finish and instantly want more of, want something to offer up the same feeling. It's about disappointed ideals, and finding love, and about looking for purpose and not quite finding it, until one day, it finds you. It's sort of warm and sad and bittersweet and frothy and more pointed than you expect.

So, quite unexpectedly, I wrote a teeny tiny little snippet that takes place after the curtain closes. It will likely not mean anything unless you've seen the film.

( Leaving Port and Starboard )