family
Family life from the feminist perspective; can women have it all? Can anyone?
Remarkable
To my Grannie, I’ve been thinking about you a lot these days. My world is so different than yours was, but there are similarities that shine through. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without you and the stories of your strength keep me going when times feel dark.
By Christina Blanchette5 years ago in Viva
My Pioneering Grandma - A Woman Before Her Time
This year as the pandemic raged throughout our care homes, my grandma became one of the people who could add their name to the death toll. When she passed she was not the same woman. It is wrong to say her leaving was almost a blessing. Dementia has eaten everything that was her, away.
By Sam H Arnold5 years ago in Viva
Women Without Children
For as long as I can remember, I always insisted I never wanted children. I didn’t like kids—I still do not, to some degree. People would often tell me I would change my mind when I got older. They would tell me that it’s different when it's your own kid. Clearly they never understood my issues with kids. It’s not that I hate them, it's that I want to be able to get away from them. I don’t want to listen to them cry or deal with their temper tantrums. I don’t want to smell their diapers or touch their sticky hands. I enjoy hanging out with them and playing with toys, I just like to be able to hand them back to their parents when it comes time for responsibility. Some people completely understand this point of view, but more often, us women who don’t want kids are looked down upon as if there is something wrong with us. It’s as if there are people out there who think our only job in life is to produce and raise children. I know there are women who felt obligated, even though they didn’t want kids, and that isn’t fair to anyone, especially the child. In today’s world, it is shocking that there are still women who are shamed for their life decisions regarding children, and it just isn’t right.
By Jen Sullivan5 years ago in Viva
Small Black Notebook
Genni sat patiently in a chair outside of the office. She fiddled with the newspaper clipping in her hand. Just yesterday she had found out about this job. It was peculiar to say the least: “Reward for Joy-Bringer”. The details beneath the headline requested anyone up to the challenge of bringing a smile to the face of dear Mrs. Puttnam, a handicapped woman living at the estate. Her son, Hamish, was the owner of several successful companies. He published the article in hopes that someone would be able to bring a speck of joy into his mother’s life. For several years, she had appeared miserable. Each day she would sit in her wheelchair, overlooking the green lawns with a far-off gaze from her window. Servers would set her meals on a nearby table throughout the day, but they remained hardly touched. Despite her inability to form words, she was unafraid to show her disapproval with a firm shake of her head and a scowl. The door opened and a voice called, “Miss Genevieve?” The young woman stood and dusted down her skirt. Her flats echoed on the wooden floor of the empty halls. A lady in a dress suit gestured to a plush couch, the room in itself grand and luxurious. “Please, have a seat.” They shook hands over a glass coffee table before sitting down.
By Candice Goolsby5 years ago in Viva
Little Black Book
The little black book The summer was always a good thing to Ranus, it reminded him of the city back home before he decided to living in a jungle would be cheaper... and besides he doesn’t even know where his family is. He was adopted by this pretty old couple since birth and they’ve only made it to 11years of being his parents. He was now alone , living on his own while trying to understand the meaning of nature. He studied the trees , the gorrilas, and the wood peckers that picked at the tree. HIs favorite bird was the bluejay. While studying birds and animals he noticed that bluejays were determined and such sweet creatures.He made that his favorite way to end the day. Year and years went by as his journals filled up more and more. He always reached in his sack to look at his parents knowing they would be so proud of him for making it this far. For every animal reminded him of how strong humans were actually built to be.
By Jasmine Stewart5 years ago in Viva
Reparations
She stared at the envelope, her eyes going in and out of focus. She knew what was inside; knew what the letter said. She’d seen them before. Saw her own, saw her husband’s, both of which were locked up safe here at home. It had been suggested they keep them in a safe deposit box at the bank but that was simply laughable.
By Monica Cable5 years ago in Viva
Brain and Gut
This is not a story about gut health affecting mental health, though I can see where the title might suggest that. No, this is a story about Covid - not actually having it, but simply existing in the world we have lived in for the past elevenish months - and the number it does on your mental health. Now, in fairness, there has been a lot going on in addition to Covid-19 in the past year, especially in the US (I'm in the slightly saner Washington), but none of them caused me to have the almost visceral reaction I had this morning.
By Jenn Kirkland5 years ago in Viva
