What Does It Mean To Be A Woman?

Can Caitlyn Jenner Speak for Women?

Since the Diane Sawyer interview and the Vanity Fair photo shoot of Caitlyn Jenner, Caitlyn is no longer being lumped with the rest of the fame seeking Kardashian clan. Which is interesting as she is now seeking fame more openly than before. Kardashian 2.0. Nevertheless both the media an the public are praising Caitlyn as brave and courageous while she transitions from 70s sex symbol to a modern sex object in such a public way. The Vanity Fair photos and article imply that breasts, hormone supplements, long hair and lipstick supply most of the material one needs to be a woman. I read a description of the magazine cover as “a pedestrian celebrity pastiche of rather tired visual clichés.” I agree with his assessment and in addition find it age inappropriate. It makes me wonder what exactly Ms Jenner and I have in common as women other than our similar ages and similar level of fitness. We certainly do not share any of the same life experiences. Her notion of what it means to be a woman is simply not one many women can relate to. 

While I am not a strong feminist I am part of a generation that worked hard and long to equalize the playing field between men and women. This magazine cover and all the applause Caitlyn is receiving as a result of these photos brings up a question: what does it mean to be a woman? There are certain life experiences that women worldwide share- but I am not sure that either wearing a corset or makeup are on that list. What we do have in common is we have been routinely offered certain courtesies by men such as protecting us from violence, carrying heavy loads, paying the check or opening doors for us. On the other side of the coin, we have also experienced certain indignities, such as unequal pay checks, sexual harassment, and intimate violence.

I recently read that at the height of her popularity in the late eighties the actress Suzanne Somers asked for a raise when she discovered her male co-star was being paid five times her salary. Five times!!!!! Instead of receiving the raise she was fired.  Things have changed somewhat since then but not as much as you would think. Just today in 2015 Prime Minister Modi of India praised the female Prime Minister of Bangladesh for her efforts to combat terrorism “despite being a woman.” Even if you run a country you risk having your efforts demeaned by men- that’s what it means to be a woman, Caitlyn. It has very little to do with wearing nail polish or expensive lingerie. 

Woman around the world share a large number of concerns that Caitlyn has not had to consider. So it is difficult for her to grasp what being a woman really encompasses. She is still at a point in her development where she is largely concerned with her physical image. But this may change in time. I doubt that she has ever worried for her personal safety before walking on a dark street at night, entering an elevator or leaving a parking garage. But these issues may come up for her in the future as they do daily for women worldwide. 

She won't have to worry about getting pregnant after unprotected sex. This is major issue for all women. Indeed it might be the most common concern worldwide. How can someone really grasp the meaning of being a woman if they have not shared this experience? Another problem that Caitlyn will not have to worry about is getting your period in a public place and hoping no one will notice. 

But she may share the problem of being sexually harassed. At 6'2" she probably won't have to worry about sexual violence from bigger or stronger men But she is likely to encounter men looking at her bosom rather than looking in her eyes as they talk to her. 

I applaud this national dialogue which opens the way for people to be accepted for who they are, rather than having to fit into the stereotype society has created. But we should beware redefining our idea of what it means to be a woman based on someone just beginning to walk in our high heeled shoes.