We Women

Somehow, even though we as a nation of humans have evolved and become forward thinkers and equality comes ever closer, there is still a aura surrounding the topic of women. Women in literature, women composers, women in war, business women, women as icons, women as objects; women in just about every form of being and living that is possible. Why? what is so special about women? is there something special about women? Sure they give birth, but they sure can't do it alone! It is often argued that without women, there would be nothing. Well without men, there would be nothing! perhaps we havent moved away from this belief that women are a focal point of life because we hate to say that men are a focal point of life as well. the only difference is that Men have historically and currently hold positions that reflect power and control in some way. But, with all the attention that women have been getting (at least in the united states), could it be that in fact it is Women who have the power and the control, and its Men who are competing for it? "Boys are stupid" is a well known phrase and a t-shirt company logo that every girl I know finds funny. "girls are stupid" on the other hand, is marked as offensive.
I think that we run ourselves in circles trying to figure out this gender mess. Realistically we shouldn't be asking ourselves "who runs who" or even why, because it goes both ways and no matter what, it always comes down to one thing, and that is fear. Why not ask what difference it makes? girl or boy, so what, its fear in both rights and both are valid. Its fear that drives both, and its equally played out by both. evidence for every argument is statistical and statistics can prove anything you want them to. I'm going on a tangent but i'll get back on track eventually. Gotta run to class but this post isnt finished yet..
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In response to John Berger and his sense that men look at women and women watch themselves being looked at, I think that this is an accurate observation, but one that is only recognition of human nature. In children and teens it is usual to see the 'center of the world' complex, as I call it, and from my experience its the girls who suffer from it the most. Usually the girl at hand doesnt even realize she's so focused on herself, which would lead me to believe that its natural instinct to be self aware, and competitive for attention. Historically women were expected to look pretty for men and do little work so its no surprise that we became a main focus for sitting for paintings (what else had we to do? surely we could not be painters ourselves, so that left men, and men, lets face it, are pretty focused on women). I dont think that art about women is surprising at all because men like to see attractive women, and women like to be attractive- so an ad selling makeup featuring a beautiful women will sell because women instinctively want to be beautiful. Those that chose to turn away from the oversexed ads usually think better of themselves, perhaps are more confident, and its not unheard of to hear a 'better-than-thou' remark in reference to the woman in the ad.