It has been one year since my parents announced their separation. I have learned that in that time that to begin with, there is nothing but blame. But it was odd, that I was blaming my own mother more than my father. As though she owed me more than him. I was wandering through the internets when I stumbled on this article Am I My Mother’s Feminist? From Skirt Magazine This was written by Haley Swenson (Also a writer on The Pop Perspective And Pushback) she has had the same struggles as me. In fact- it’s crazy how much of our situation was alike.
I found my father not having to own up to anything. I found myself yelling at my mom for not working it out. But it’s hard to recognize that you’re wrong. To recognize that no one is to blame- and if there is, it’s the world on your parent’s shoulders in a time of parent separation. Because it is their own decision, together and apart. My mother’s ideals for feminism have never shown through to me before recently. I guess that influence of her telling me I can be whatever I want all my life has built me up to be what I am today. I thank my mother now for giving me that confidence to be who I want to be. She’s given me the strength to be a bisexual feminist teenager. And she’s never doubted me on it. Because I am “My Mother’s Feminist” and there’s no other way I’d have it.
Signing off!
–Riot
Ven said,
January 17, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Sweet. Let’s not wait a month until the next update, eh?
whatsername said,
January 17, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I’m with you on this. Before my parents split up I overheard some choice words about things I was convinced my mom must be lying about. She and I have always had trouble getting along when we live together, just too opposite in personality. Anyway, when they split up I found out everything I’d heard was true, and I had to process all this anger I’d had towards her for years with this feeling of guilt. Yah, it’s…messed up.