WOMEN’S INDEPENDENCE CONTEXTUALIZED
Batoul Khalifeh 
2022-06-13 🗀 Motherhood, 15 minutes
For a long time, women fought for freedoms that were once denied to them. As Women all around the world are seeking their independence, it is more than essential nowadays, that the word independence be understood and defined with circumstantial context.
Many people would define independence as being related to freedom. However, it would be better to perceive independence in its various branches like financial, political, social, emotional, and mental independence. A framed separation into branches of independence easily allows a lens of specificity, rather than vagueness, showing that independence needs context. So, it would be logical to separate the types of independence into two forms, corporeal and intangible independence.
Many people would define independence as being related to freedom. However, it would be better to perceive independence in its various branches like financial, political, social, emotional, and mental independence. A framed separation into branches of independence easily allows a lens of specificity, rather than vagueness, showing that independence needs context. So, it would be logical to separate the types of independence into two forms, corporeal and intangible independence.
Independence can be viewed from multiple perspectives, extending beyond a mere notion of freedom. It encompasses various branches, each with its own distinct context and significance. By categorizing independence into specific domains, we gain a deeper understanding of its diverse manifestations. Two overarching forms can be identified: corporeal and intangible independence. Consider the following branches:
- Financial Independence: Achieving financial autonomy and stability, free from economic constraints and relying on one’s own resources.
- Political Independence: Exercising self-governance and having the ability to participate in decision-making processes that shape society.
- Social Independence: Cultivating personal agency within social interactions, embracing individuality, and forging connections based on mutual respect.
- Emotional Independence: Nurturing emotional resilience, self-reliance, and the capacity to regulate and understand one’s own emotions.
- Mental Independence: Fostering intellectual autonomy, critical thinking, and the ability to form independent opinions.
By examining independence through this framework of specific branches, we can delve into the nuances and interplay between different aspects, enabling a more comprehensive comprehension of its essence.
While Corporeal independence naturally includes everything relative to the physical life such as social, financial, political, etc., The intangible independence communicates the nonphysical things like the mental and emotional. It is necessary then to consider where gender falls on this spectrum of independence.
Women’s empowerment is an important movement that supports the voice and equal opportunities for women. According to Peace Corps (n.d) “ Women’s empowerment includes increasing a woman’s sense of self-worth, her decision-making power, her access to opportunities and resources, her power and control over her own life inside and outside the home, and her ability to effect change.” Undoubtedly, there are different factors to consider in the discussion of gender and independence, especially when we look back at the history of so many societies around the world where predominantly patriarchal and limited female rights and
freedoms were unlimitedly widespread. Nonetheless, women have a human right to be independent. But questions remain, what type of independence is desired, and is being dependent in certain aspects holistically bad? To answer this, it is necessary to look at the context of the culture in the discussion of women’s independence.
What is women’s indepedence in culture?
Culture is a broad term that has come to mean different things at different times in history. In this specific use, culture expresses the household and society that a female grew up in. In other words, it is the beliefs, traditions, and social groups that she belongs to. The cultural situation of women is extremely relevant to understanding women’s independence; using a cultural focus to understand this wide phenomenon enables a psychological analysis as well. As a general example, Muslim women from the East will culturally differ from Muslim women in the West; similarly, Christian women in the East will differ from Christian women in the West. Moreover, Muslim women in both geographics will differ from Christian women; even more, women raised liberal, atheist, or agnostic will differ from both Muslims and Christians. It is imperative to note that in a cultural discussion, geography and belief systems are key because traditions and societies differ from area to area. Thus, in context with culture, a woman’s desire for certain types of independence will vary depending on how much of her specific traditions and beliefs are internalized and practiced. Thus, CONTEXT is KEY!
In our modern society, most would agree that women were extremely mistreated in the past, as they were dealt with harshness leading to a detrimental imbalance in the progression of humanity. On the other side, we find the exaggerated efforts of some extremist feminist groups, blinded by radical liberalism, to the point that they forgot, or rather ignored, the fact that some women prefer traditional ways of life, and don’t mind being dependent on certain aspects of their lives such as being housewives or stay-at-home moms.
Hence, the question then becomes, are the women who choose to be housewives and/or stay-at-home moms considered dependent or independent? As previously mentioned, independence is categorical – corporeal and intangible. Therefore Women, those who are housewives or stay-at-home moms, would most likely be dependent in relation to their finances, as they would need unlimited economical support to naturally survive. However, when it comes to emotions, intellect, political views, and beliefs, women may be independent, if they have given themselves enough freedom, authority, and power.
Here is where culture plays a significant role because these independent branches are affected by a woman’s upbringing. It is imperative for women to know that it is up to them only to choose what to hold on to and what to let go of, hence, freedom of choice. This is key to maintaining proper mental health because having freedoms and independence allows for creativity and self-confidence to grow.
A woman who is overly dependent ties her physical and nonphysical self to others leading to many emotional and mental conflicts. There are many issues to consider when discussing women’s independence, and as the world progresses and evolves, we can only hope that a horizon of
A woman who is overly dependent ties her physical and nonphysical self to others leading to many emotional and mental conflicts. There are many issues to consider when discussing women’s independence, and as the world progresses and evolves, we can only hope that a horizon of
righteousness is sought after, one where women’s rights are not overlooked, and good traditions are not demonized.