Web Letters: The Supergirl Syndrome

How ironic that Lakshmi Chaudhry is writing an article about Supergirls, and she is named after an aspect of the Divine Mother.

You bring up a phenomenon and tie it into current events so well. Thank you for such an informative and well-written article.

Maria Perez

Sedona, AZ

"This perverse process of cultural "translation" is inevitable as long as our society--well, our world--devalues women as worthless creatures who need to "earn" respect, love or acceptance by being a hot babe, good mom, school valedictorian, concert pianist, MVP or, preferably, all of the above."

The current culture is only part of the problem, however, the best solution would be for us women to stop devaluing ourselves and each other. Only then will we stop being our own worst enemy.

A Cook

Dunwoody, GA

What reward can these "Supergirls" expect for their exhausting efforts? They are neither demanding nor receiving equal pay. They will likely experience fewer reproductive rights than their mothers. Sexual assaults still occur at the same alarming rate as they did twenty years ago. And Nancy Pelosi gave voice to what so many of us know today: the ceiling's not glass, it's marble.

Naomi Wolf's argument in "The Beauty Myth" continues to be relevant. There is a backlash from the feminist movement that redirects women's efforts toward beauty (and now athletics and other "perfections," and away from true equality and self-determination.

I will tell my nine-year-old daughter that she doesn't have to "prove" her equality. It would be nice to have the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to validate my words.

Kim Stanley

South Riding, Virginia

A couple of points,

It's unfortunate, but feminism is actually part of the cause of womens' dilemma. Constant pressure to "be equal," prove their independence/equality and exude their new role in an alleged man's world has done nothing but add to the already existing pressures women have in life.

And speaking of pressure, we all experience it: Its part of life. Attaining success and recognition is never easy, for a man or a woman.

Regarding respect, I'm not sure why some writers think that woman had earned no respect BEFORE the advent of the latest womens movement. That is certainly not the case. Perhaps it warms the hearts of feminists to believe they've "saved" woman from man. Or perhaps, by helping to create the very dilemma spoken of above, they just want to make sure all women are as stressed and miserable as they are.

Chip Thornton

Reistertown, MD