A 1960’s View of Womanhood
...pted standards, fiercely challenged the definition of a woman and her place in society. Society begins this push for compliance, which Piercy suggests, in all women at a very early age. She is presented with “dolls that did pee-pee” (2) to enforce the notion that one role for a woman is for her to be a mother. Another such label for women is that of a homemaker. This is suggested when the child is given “miniature GE stoves and irons” (3). An additional expectation for women is that they be beautiful. Rather than focusing on the heart or character, superficial beauty is made important to the young girl when she is given “wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy” (4) to hide any physical flaws that may exist. For a woman to possess any qualities that are acceptable for a man to have is a negative for her. To be “healthy” (7) and having “strong arms and back” (8) is not mandatory for a person who’s role does not require top physical condition. Society views a woman as someone who should be subservient, someone who should remain in the home and not aspire to better herself or take a position in the workplace, though “tested intelligent” (7). Even having an “abundant sexual drive” (9) was ignored because for many women of this era, sex is an obligation they owe to their mates. Despite all these aspects of fitness and maturity, “she went to and fro apologizing” (10) for her lack of feminine perfection. Her culture only saw “a fat nose on thick legs” (11). Rather than focus on the positive characteristics of this young girl, the public would concentrate on the so-called negatives. In an effort to help her match their standards, “she is advised to play coy, exhorted to come on hearty, exercise, diet, smile and wheedle” (12-14) to bring her closer to the Barbie Doll image that is well accepted. In the place of acceptance and efforts to build her self-esteem, the young girl is met with opposition and discouragement. She is pushed to the point where “Her good nature wore out like a fan belt” (15-16). In...