MARRY ME

turkish wedding

I was reminded recently of a comment I heard Jerry Lewis, the comedian, once say when he referred to a woman as merely “a producing machine that brings babies into the world”.   He also said there is no place for women in comedy and that not even Lucille Ball was funny.

How many other men feel the same way Jerry Lewis does?  And how many of these men are influencing our world now?  I know for a fact that the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, echoes Jerry’s sentiments when he went public recently and told women they should stay home and have at least 3 children.  He is a conservative traditionalist and considers himself a moral guardian for his people.  He actually stated that men should be the breadwinner and women the baker of such bread.

Although Turkey is a Muslim country, the women in that country struggle with the same issues women in western societies do.  Although there are many that want more independence, there is still pressure from family, friends and society to marry and have children.  This is evidenced by the recent popularity of wedding reality shows, in particular one called “Marry Me”.   In conservative, rural parts of Turkey, this show gives women “hope” for a bright future.  One such bride was quoted as saying that “good looks, money and an EU passport would be nice…. but the main thing is to just get married”.

How many of us were raised believing that we would only be happy if we were married?  How many of us at an early age cut out photos of wedding dresses?  I remember my best friend in high school showing me her “hope” chest, and at age 16, it was already filled.

It’s hard to believe that in the year 2012, there is still a stigma attached to those who don’t marry…. or to those who are divorced, for that matter.  Why is our personal identity wrapped up in our marital status?  But more importantly, what message is government giving us when they tell women to just stay home and bake bread?   Sadly, this is not a belief system prevailing in only Muslim states.   Look to the US Republican platform right now, and ask yourself how different are we from Turkey?

Copyright © 2013 (Michelle Parsons, Getting Back on Your Path). All Rights Reserved.

Comments (2)

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