Letters to the Editor
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A woman's problem with women
I think the writer's issues are clear in her letter, and have more to do with her family upbringing, and very little to do with the realities of male/female character.
That being said, I must take this opportunity to say that I'm tired of, and puzzled by (and tired of being puzzled by), this notion that women hate each other. As funny as I find Chris Rock and Pam Stone, I'm left cold by their and other-- mostly but not exclusively male-- comics' riffs on my gender's apparent self-loathing.
Maybe I'm a rarity, but I think not. Maybe my MANY female friends and I are exceptions to the typical female American experience, but I think not. Maybe those in my circle are sociological freaks, BUT... we speak of nail polish and national policy with equal fluency, and sometimes in the same conversation. We talk about politics, theology, human rights, animal rights, current events, and ancient history with the same vigor and frequency that we cover how much we (swoon!) adore George Clooney and/or Angelina Jolie (we're an eclectic group). We support each other through personal, professional, and sometimes even pathetic experiences. Some of us are closer to others of us, and these alliances tend to shift and vary depending on where we are in our lives, and we all understand that. True, from time to time, we complain about each other TO each other, as friends/family do, but the essential love, concern, and respect are always there.
My girls and I count on each other. I hope I speak for them all when I say we wouldn't have it any other way.
So, log this letter in the "bullshit" column re: a woman not finding women of substance to befriend. We are "out there." Finding us isn't difficult. For many of us, it's as simple-- and as essential-- as breathing.
Jennifer Park