Dear Daniel:
I was watching a Philadelphia newscast the other night on TV. It’s disconcerting enough to watch Philly news instead of New York news, but what was really alarming was what the big-haired, spray painted anchor woman was reporting. Apparently, a new “study” was conducted on suicide rates and the results were disturbing. Teenagers, often the “winners” of the suicide sweepstakes, were dethroned and kicked down to the number two slot. The fastest growing portion of our society committing suicide? Women between the ages of 40-55! And plastic anchor lady appeared surprised…probably because she was about two decades away from that lucky age group. But, not me…I’m not the least surprised. I could’ve told them to watch my peers and I like hawks long ago. Why? Must you ask?
Woman between 40 and 55 are stretched like rubber bands around the Sunday paper. We are the heads of households. We are the bread winners and the health benefits holders. We are the high-heeled office tsars and the slippered Mommies. But, I know what you’re thinking. You’ve been hearing all this for three decades. Well, you’re right…but after three decades it’s starting to GET to us! We’ve just been patient, waiting perhaps for things to change. But they haven’t. So, quite simply, we’re starting to off ourselves. Sue us.
I certainly don’t intend to make light of suicide. But, if we can’t laugh at ourselves, where does that leave us? That’s right…an inkblot on the grill of a Mack truck. Maybe we can stop this trend before it’s too late. We’re not asking for that much…just our fair share of life’s pie. Is it so wrong to want to be paid as much as men for doing the same job? Currently, women are paid 76 cents per every dollar a man makes for an identical daily routine, whether she is a maid or a doctor. That same woman will put in at least an 8 hour day doing something she probably doesn’t like all that much. She will then go home to a house that isn’t as clean as she’d like, to children who could care less what kind of a day she’s had…I know this because most women between 40 and 55 have TEENAGERS. It is inherently impossible for teenagers to care about anything not directly affecting their own lives, even though Mom is trying to spread that 76 cents per every dollar to include THEIR college tuitions.
Maybe the aforementioned head of the household has no children. Is she in the clear? Ever hear of menopause?? Childless or not, she’s starting on the long journey towards back hair and the inevitable weight gain that comes with menstrual loss. Not to mention the hormonal rage. I can all but guarantee that she wanted to murder at least one motorist on her commute to work. And if you’re looking for her at around 3 PM, try looking under her desk, where she is most likely rolled up in the fetal position trying to catch up on the sleep she cannot get at night.
Three decades ago, Mom most likely had a spouse to share these joys. At present, half of all woman in this age bracket are divorced and handling all this very much alone. Which means, that in all likelihood, she’s…gasp…dating! Add a middle-aged, luggage laden man to the equation and ugliness will surely ensue. Along with inane small talk. Not to mention step-children and ex-spouses.
My intention is not to whine but to educate. If you know a woman who is between 40 and 55 years old, show her kindness and patience. At the very least, get off her frigging back. Thank you for listening.
I was watching a Philadelphia newscast the other night on TV. It’s disconcerting enough to watch Philly news instead of New York news, but what was really alarming was what the big-haired, spray painted anchor woman was reporting. Apparently, a new “study” was conducted on suicide rates and the results were disturbing. Teenagers, often the “winners” of the suicide sweepstakes, were dethroned and kicked down to the number two slot. The fastest growing portion of our society committing suicide? Women between the ages of 40-55! And plastic anchor lady appeared surprised…probably because she was about two decades away from that lucky age group. But, not me…I’m not the least surprised. I could’ve told them to watch my peers and I like hawks long ago. Why? Must you ask?
Woman between 40 and 55 are stretched like rubber bands around the Sunday paper. We are the heads of households. We are the bread winners and the health benefits holders. We are the high-heeled office tsars and the slippered Mommies. But, I know what you’re thinking. You’ve been hearing all this for three decades. Well, you’re right…but after three decades it’s starting to GET to us! We’ve just been patient, waiting perhaps for things to change. But they haven’t. So, quite simply, we’re starting to off ourselves. Sue us.
I certainly don’t intend to make light of suicide. But, if we can’t laugh at ourselves, where does that leave us? That’s right…an inkblot on the grill of a Mack truck. Maybe we can stop this trend before it’s too late. We’re not asking for that much…just our fair share of life’s pie. Is it so wrong to want to be paid as much as men for doing the same job? Currently, women are paid 76 cents per every dollar a man makes for an identical daily routine, whether she is a maid or a doctor. That same woman will put in at least an 8 hour day doing something she probably doesn’t like all that much. She will then go home to a house that isn’t as clean as she’d like, to children who could care less what kind of a day she’s had…I know this because most women between 40 and 55 have TEENAGERS. It is inherently impossible for teenagers to care about anything not directly affecting their own lives, even though Mom is trying to spread that 76 cents per every dollar to include THEIR college tuitions.
Maybe the aforementioned head of the household has no children. Is she in the clear? Ever hear of menopause?? Childless or not, she’s starting on the long journey towards back hair and the inevitable weight gain that comes with menstrual loss. Not to mention the hormonal rage. I can all but guarantee that she wanted to murder at least one motorist on her commute to work. And if you’re looking for her at around 3 PM, try looking under her desk, where she is most likely rolled up in the fetal position trying to catch up on the sleep she cannot get at night.
Three decades ago, Mom most likely had a spouse to share these joys. At present, half of all woman in this age bracket are divorced and handling all this very much alone. Which means, that in all likelihood, she’s…gasp…dating! Add a middle-aged, luggage laden man to the equation and ugliness will surely ensue. Along with inane small talk. Not to mention step-children and ex-spouses.
My intention is not to whine but to educate. If you know a woman who is between 40 and 55 years old, show her kindness and patience. At the very least, get off her frigging back. Thank you for listening.
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