relationships
Trace the link between feminism and relationships from outdated norms to modern conventions including chivalry, working mothers, splitting the bill and beyond.
Gringa
“You have a nice figure, Gringa. But you could still get a little more meat on your bones.” That’s what Jim matter-of-factly suggested to me, right after gesturing his big, expensive gold watch in front of my face towards the passenger seat where I clutched my cell phone with a sweaty palm and frowned down at said bones, the knobby knees and bony thighs I had since childhood. He was shaking his head, craning to leer at the petite females we could see through my window, blonde ponytails swinging as they jogged Kelly Drive, headphones in, oblivious to his judging stares. “Why do white girls like to work out so much? You see so many of these pretty little things running and it’s like girl, you don’t even have an ass, why you tryin’ to get rid of the fat you don’t even have? I don’t like that. I like girls with curves.” Then that chuckle of his – that infantile giggle like he just got away with doing something he shouldn’t have – followed by an emission of cigar breath. I didn’t agree nor refute. I sat there silent and dumb, as I always did and always would in his presence, only this time I had the unwelcome thought that I really should have learned how to jump out of a moving vehicle if it ever came to that. It didn’t, but the reminder tingled at the base of my skull as I checked my phone for the tenth time that minute.
By Andrea Festa5 years ago in Viva
Tearing down the Walls. Top Story - March 2021.
Up until recently, telling my story felt futile. I have had so many walls up and have now come to the realisation that there is more to lose by not telling my story. For the longest time, I believed that my story had no value. You see, my life feels ordinary. Whilst I have been through some hardships, grief and loss, I’ve never stopped to consider that these events have shaped me, or that my story might be one that others resonate with.
By Adrianna Zaccardi5 years ago in Viva
Best Friends Forever
Have you ever heard that saying, men are from Mars and women are from Venus? Of course, you have, we all have; it’s one of those household statements. As a woman, I literally can’t wrap my brain around what men think about in a day, but I also found that up until I became an adult, I also had a very hard time relating to other women. Throughout my years in school, I had a hard time maintaining friendships with girls, in fact, it wasn’t until my freshman year of high school that I actually managed to make and maintain a girl-friend for the entirety of a year or more. Why does any of that matter?
By C. L. Henderson5 years ago in Viva
The Angry Mama's Boy
Have you ever had a man that loved you, but hated his mother? Loved her because that is what you’re supposed to do but hated her because she was an image of a mother that he could not find. His father was not around, so he was left to decipher the feminine side of life through the lens of his toxic mother. She would ridicule him to make him feel less of a man unless she was using him in some way. God forbid if he gets a woman and she has no man. She will make him her makeshift husband. She will make it a point to discredit his woman and interfere in the relationship, whenever she can. This mother is only a problem if the son allows her to be. It is not your job to go to battle with her, because if you do, you might lose him. If he does not stand up for you to her, especially when she's wrong, then you are just a body in a relationship. An irritant to the mother and a bargaining chip for the son, you do not want to be that person.
By L.L Walton5 years ago in Viva
Why Am I Single?
Why are you single? I used to cringe when someone asked me that question. It used to make me feel like I needed to be in a relationship. It made me feel like there was something wrong with being single. Then I started to think, what is wrong with being single? My conclusion....absolutely nothing! The question that should be asked is, why do you care so much?
By L.L Walton5 years ago in Viva
Do All Men Cheat??
I finally met a guy that could potentially be “the one.” We have talked for hours over the phone every day. We face timed. We texted constantly, all throughout the day. We discussed serious things like marriage, kids, and future plans. He told me that he was intrigued by me. He is out of state until next weekend because of his military position. I have never felt this close to someone I have not actually met in person.
By Jennifer Mosier5 years ago in Viva
I Thought I Was Gonna DIE !
First thing first, I am NOT claiming, by any means, to be a domestic violence victim, survivor, professional, etc. I feel like I'm constantly in a whirlpool. Either spinning out of control on the outer edge or drowning when getting sucked down to the center. This is simply a part of my life story that is weighing me down so I wanted to dispel it with purpose. I would rather get this off my chest in a constructive way to avoid me doing something I regret.
By LaLa Writes5 years ago in Viva
Up -Side/Down
It’s crazy to look over at the man you once loved, and know that he’s about to kill you. To think of how many times you’ve laid there at night, sleeping, while he watches over you and plots your demise. I wish this was the first, and pray to the Gods that it’s the last time I’m ever within an inch my life, from this crazy repeat cycle of endless battery and relentless savagery. They say that it must be what I want, that I choose these monsters, or that I bring it out in them. Maybe it’s my own demons haunting me, possessing every poor soul that ever gets comfortable enough to stay. Maybe.
By Sasha Stimson5 years ago in Viva
