MONA LISA SMILE JOURNAL WK 9

The evidence that times have changed from then (1953) to now (2007) is the fact women have freedom of choice now. The list is endless from opportunity to complete your education even if you have children or a partner to contraception availability and the privacy act which allows women to attend a Doctor, of her choice, and even consider abortion if that's what is required by the patient.The teacher (Catherine) was 30 years old yet having a full life teaching and others judged her as weird because she wasn't married with children and at home full time. This was the norm for the times. Catherine was a smart, talented and dedicated career women and knew she would marry one day but wasn't thinking about it continuously.If it happened it happened-she wasn't going to stress out or be controlled by other people's opinions of her. It was her life and her choice she was not going to be forced into hasty decisions. The workforce in 2007 has strict rules on sexual harassment amongst employers and employees whereas in the 50's there was little protection for harassing bosses.

In the 50's little progress had been made as far as women's rights went. The headmaster at the private school ruled over the female teachers as too much Independence for women frightened men and men thought women were too busy dreaming about their weddings and being a mother to take business seriously. Even when women had great success men took the credit. Men controlled their families and the women were expected to care for the men the children and the home and their education was finished and work outside the home was pretty well on hold, unless hubby died then the woman would most probably look for another hubby rather than take the lead and enter the work-force. More children and more work at home. Not many women drove cars as their self esteem and confidence was not formed as they were not used to making their own decisions. Often women were isolated and had limited education. Their sole role in life was to care - BUT who cared about their goals or dreams, maybe men thought they were happy in their role so no-one actually asked about how they felt? I'm so glad women have a voice and are listened to now. Some men have commented that they left the raising of their children solely to the mother, so unfortunately the children had little education and married young, just like Mum.

This film was definitely set in the 1950's as the decor was dated, things like wallpaper throughout the home, the length of skirts and coats and the girls at school talked about women's girdles and discussed buying the latest in appliances in the home, for example washing machines or fridges especially when they married. Some girls had names like Joan and Betty and most women wore aprons in the home. Many women wore animal furs, pearls around their necks and hats even the young girls always wore hats and maybe gloves. Men smoked pipes and cigars inside the house and at the dinner table with no problems or concern for others. The dance styles were very 1950's - being the Jitter-bug and Jive and music was records. There was no I Pods, Computers or Mobile Phones and of course all girls wanted a hoola-hoop for Xmas. We have all come a long way since then and lets hope no men or religion will TRY and put us back in the dark old days. GO GIRL POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!