girl-mom

Community Advocacy and Support by and for Young Mothers

What does the term "empowerment" mean to you?

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luvinonmytwo
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What does the term "empowerment" mean to you?

Just a little curious... different women think of this term in different ways and I want to know what makes you feel empowered!

missiy
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Re: What does the term "empowerment" mean to you?

going to vagina monologues empowers me :-) it's funny u asked... we just talked about what empowerment means in my diversity of american society class... i couldn't give a definition... i could only describe how it felt

MamaButterfly
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Re: What does the term "empowerment" mean to you?

I asked my almost 10 year old daughter. She said, "When I accomplish something I've been working hard for. When I do what I know is right even if others make fun of me for it. When I stand up for myself. When I don't do what the kids tell me to do when I'm playing truth or dare. When I figure something out and don't need help. I'm pretty powerful, mama! I do lots of empowering things."

I'm with her. Empowerment is being in control of yourself. It's putting yourself first (and your kids), and not your man or societal expectations, or whatever else. It's doing what you know is right. It's taking charge of your own life, speaking your mind, and not being afraid to take control.

One example of empowerment in my life is being in control of my birth. Another is leaving a bad relationship and working out my life on my own. Another is extended breastfeeding, against the grain of the rest of my family and most people I know. Another is instinctive parenting. And another less obvious one, is asking for help when I know I need it.

Germinal
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Re: What does the term "empowerment" mean to you?

I think of being empowered as having the tools, knowledge, resources and space to make decisions about your own life, and act on them. That can be applied to families and communities also.