To think women are more than just wives, mothers and grandmothers.

Well, now I've read the poem somewhat belatedly my first reaction was that it didn't fit my life and would need a rewrite right from the beginning!
Obviously it was Maws reflection on her own life and in spite of her recent bereavement a very good one it sounds too.

I still think the OPs question was a valid one though.
It may have inflicted pain to Maw but so can an assumption that husband, children and grandchildren are what constitutes a woman's life.

My life has been and will continue to be a life worth living even though hasn't followed those seven ages so perhaps to claim her own life as a woman's life was a bit presumptuous.

Nothing like my life Eglantine

So whose life is it supposed to reflect? Some idealised concept of 'woman"? Well sorry but I totally reject that. Much as a I reject the concept that women are wives, mothers and grandmothers and nothing else. If we have to look at the 7 ages I'd first of all say that Shakespeare has said it all for the first 2 and the last stage. The mewling and puking babe, the reluctant school child and the sans everything are not gender based they are universal.
Granny23 I'm sorry you think I attacked anyone. I would point out that I responded to a very critical post and did so in the same tone in which it was written.

Granny 23. I am glad that you will be able to take part in your Christmas Shop. That will do more for you than any pampering. Enjoy!

I chose not to have children, so I don't have any grandchildren...........

My sister could have written your post WilmaKnickersfit

trisher if you genuinely didn’t know about the sad death of MawBroon’s DH then you do now.A little more compassion wouldn't go amiss.

If childlessness is a lifestyle choice, then fair enough.For many women though, it is a great sadness for them not to be able to have children, and I don’t think this has been mentioned.

lemongrove so how will designating women as wives, mothers and grandmothers help them and their sadness?

There probably has never been a poem written that could give justice to every single woman, her hopes, her fears, her triumphs etc. Everyone is different. It was just a snapshot into some women's path. I don't see how that denigrates any other women, whose paths are different, or whose thought processes are far removed. It struck a chord with me, even though my life is nothing like the one written about. I saw it more as a celebration of women's nurturing role. Not that I'm even particularly nurturing by nature.

A woman can be all those things - and more besides.

I think it denigrates women if we assign to them roles and attitudes that they may not have. Can you imagine anyone expecting a boy to be 'nurturing'? If we limit women's life choices by setting narrow expectations and ambitions for them we are damaging them. I wonder what would happen if that poem was posted on MN?

There is a song called Everything Possible which ends:-
"And the only measure of your words and your deeds
will be the love you leave behind when you're done."
I think it sums up my philosophy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUBc6-keVIQ

Surely the point is that a woman can be whatever she wants to be? A woman just -- IS!

I don't feel denigrated because I didn't marry. I don't feel denigrated that I haven't done half the stuff in the poem. I didn't do them because I didn't want to.

DS is 'nurturing' - some people are, some are not.

I think that you should stop mentioning the poem written by MawBroon as apart from being critical of it and showing a back of understanding for a recently bereaved Grensnetter, it is becoming a thread about a thread.Not allowed!

That was to trisher btw

Absolutely no disrespect to Maw but whilst having my hair cut I've been starting a little life poem of my own.

I really wasn't fathers joy
He said "I'd rather have a boy".
My self esteem could have been fried.
It didn't matter cos he died.

Adoptive mother was so sweet
She scooped up six from off the street.
"Look how your waifs and strays have grown.
A pity they are not your own.
You'll never know the joy that comes
From wiping your own children's bums."

( sorry about that I needed a rhyme)

I never got the hang of boys.
I much preferred my books and toys.
I was astonished when K said
I'll marry you. You're good in bed."

Yes well that's just the start really....

Why should your poem be any disrespect to me eglantine unless of course it is one of those passive-aggressive “no disrespect, but...” introductions?
In fact why mention me at all?
I have made it clear that my offering was NOT a reflection of my own life but perhaps one’s awareness is heightened at critical moments in one’s life and I had more time to reflect.
So write whatever you like, start a thread if you want but don’t drag me into it.

Genuinely sorry to have caused you offence.

Am I the only one who has no idea what this thread is all about? Just seems a lot of snipping.

Isn't everything subjective? How we perceive our own lives, how we perceive others, how others perceive us and so on? How is any one wrong?

I am sure the poem was heartfelt and lovely (whatever it was)

Or daughters.

Title to an article in the Times this morning: "Obama daughter's boyfriend..."

So that'd be Malia Obama's boyfriend then. Why the unnecessary reference to her dad?

I share your irritation Baggs but, my question is why plaster this young woman all over the paper anyway?

She is not famous because of her achievements or because she's a celebrity (thankfully). It's because Obama, the former Potus, is her father. Not because her mother is a well respected lawyer and advocate for human rights, either, simply because of who her father is.

Baggs Your post has just given me the most horrible thought. If my Dad (or my Mum) had been famous, or a minor royal, then my early boyfriends would have been subject to the scrutiny of the media. I'm blushing at the thought, as a couple of them were heidbangers and best forgotten. Same with our DDs - we had to meet and welcome some very peculiar lads, although thankfully we all chose very well in the end.

Sorry gone off topic again - as you were.

Word for today courtesy of granny23

Heidbangers

I've known one or two myself !