INDEPENDENCE IS NOT DESPERATION

I have observed a pervasive and harmful trend in a male-dominated world: the deliberate attempt to verbally abuse and undermine single and divorced women to "prove" they cannot live without men. This takes the form of relentless mockery, the spreading of malicious rumors, and constant harassment.

Any activity a single or divorced woman engages in—be it dressing up, going to a party, buying gifts, hosting friends, wearing makeup, or even simply talking to her family and friends—is immediately twisted and misinterpreted. The abusive narrative claims these acts either mean she is obsessing over a past relationship or desperately wishing for a future man.

This is an absurd and sexist distortion of normal human behavior.

Consider this: A woman in a relationship is not questioned for these very same actions. When she talks to her friends, dresses up, or goes to a party, these are considered normal, everyday activities.

 How is it that once a woman is single or divorced, these normal tasks suddenly transform into evidence that she is "dying to get her past relationship back" or "desperate for a man"?

Having a relationship and living with a partner is a part of human nature, but the creation of this abusive environment, fueled by rumors and harassment, is not. This constant misinterpretation and verbal abuse serve only to punish women for choosing independence or for circumstances outside their control.

Before participating in the creation of this unpleasant and toxic environment, I urge men—and those women who partake in this verbal abuse for the sake of their sons or brothers—to pause and consider:

Tomorrow, your own daughter, sister, or loved one may be the target of this exact same harassment.

Let us strive for a world where a woman's value and actions are not measured by her relationship status.