Perpetuating Sterotypes

All of this cultural diversity stuff I've been reading and discussing this week got me thinking a little bit. There are a lot of sterotypes out there that are unjustified and wrong, but many of them have seeds of truth. The one I was thinking about was the one that applies to me, the dumb blond that is into girly things and only wants to get married and have babies.

To this day I have people telling me 'you need a man' or 'we need to find you a husband' both statements which piss me off to no end. I don't 'need a man' to make my life complete, I am me, a whole person thank you very much. Sure finding 'the one' and falling in love would be great, a loving relationship can enrich someone's life in a way that nothing else can. Children conceived in love and raised with a partner are a joy and a blessing (most of the time) but I am not less Ester because I don't currently have these things.

Those things are very rare, most people end up heartbroken and alone, or single parents trying to juggle what is best for their kids vs what is best for them, and the kids should win in that situation. Yes I'm really cynical but most people don't have the loving relationship, they have something they either settled for or are stuck in. I would say that most people are happy, or at least content, in those relationships, but it's not the sunshine and roses that people try to make it out to be to those of us who aren't married.

You know what, there are a lot of things I don't have, and a lot of things I do have. I have two fantastic nephews that love me unconditionally, twin nephews to make them even more remarkable. How many of you have that? Am I better than you because I have this wonderful thing that you don't? I'm not trying to get everyone's siblings to have twin boys so you can have what I have, that would be silly. I'm not going to insist that everyone have a younger brother, because I kind of enjoy mine, and I'm not going to insist that everyone live in San Diego, though you all should, because it is something that brings me much peace and happiness.

However there are parts of that stereotype I find myself reinforcing, and kind of laugh at myself for doing so. I drove a little red sportscar (oh my car!!!!!) and now have a cute little red scooter. Not just any scooter but one that has a following and message boards devoted to it. Today I spend 35 dollars on a dog bed that matches my bedspread. I bought it at Target, but it still matches my bedding.

There is only one person I let near my hair even if I have to wait a year in-between haircuts. My next car will be very trendy and if that one is gone when I go to buy a car I'm ordering a brand new one. All of these things lend into that stereotype, and I'm finding that I'm ok with that. As long as people realize that just because some of the stereotype applies, not all of it does. I still surprise people when I say something intelligent, and that is really annoying.

The whole thing just strikes me as amusing sometimes.