“Equality is not the deepest thing” ~ C. S. Lewis, That Hideous Strength
This week I have in mind to touch lightly on some aspects of femininity.
The well of this discussion has been poisoned by the ideology of relentless pursuit of equality, by men failing in chivalry, and by a thought-stopping, one-size-fits-all image of what it must be. There’s more than a dash of Eve in the Garden, too, where we just don’t want to listen. It’s hard to talk about this topic without appearing to take sides in a futile conflict: either reject the concept entirely or subscribe to one narrow version of it.
But I have to talk about it!
The housewife (and the religious sister too, I could add, though such an interjection would constitute too much of a digression from our theme) has in mind and is, as every person is, responsible for, preserving the whole scope of human existence, which includes radiating the goodness of how God made us, male and female.
Men should be masculine, including outwardly. Women should be feminine — yes, outwardly. The one inspires the other. We need to get back to a point where we are delighting each other in this specific way!
There are broad principles but the particulars are many-splendored!
Today let’s just ask ourselves, we women: “Do I act and appear as feminine as I personally can?”
Femininity is a good thing, a perfection. “Do I believe this?”
As I Was Going Up Pippen Hill by J.E. Rogers
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My book on how to live with the Liturgical Year: The Little Oratory
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As with everything here at the SFH, the best thing is for you to take my ideas, coming from my experience of 45 years of marriage and raising seven children, and apply them to your situation with discernment, prudence, and confidence — and a sense of humor!
Peg Bracken was an author whose books poked fun at housewifery while providing both excellent recipes and housekeeping hints. One of them featured a quote I never forgot, when it comes to dresses, they should be tight enough to show you are a woman, loose enough to show you are a lady.
Good advice that I have followed. I think DRESSING is such an easy way to express femininity. She-Male attire, sloppy clothes, ripped jeans (truly the stupidest, ugliest and most unflattering style) or streetwalker wear are not feminine.
It astonishes me how so many don’t even try.
Thank you for this! I whole heartedly agree that we need to be more feminine but in the day to day I easily forget. Thank you for the reminder!!