Posing the question, "Do modern women really know what they want?" suggests that women in the past have really known what they want. Socially acceptable roles have dictated what men and women have done for thousands of years. There have always been the courageous few who have stepped outside of the societal norms but they paid dearly for it. Some have paid with their lives.

The feminist movement actually began as a way to allow women the freedom of choice and to allow them the same respect and pay grade as men. Somehow it deteriorated in to a new expectation for women. The United States has crowed about its freedoms since its birth, yet its people are still enslaved by societal expectations. Families can also pressure its members with expectations. Communities, families and religious groups are examples of societies. They all create expectations or societal norms for their members.

When a society demands that women marry, care for the house and raise the children, exclusively, it is limiting options. When a society demands that that women train to be warriors (there have been many) it is limiting options. Human beings are individuals. We're all different and that's one of the beautiful things about our existence. Unfortunately, many humans fear anything that's different. They incorrectly assume that they will be safe if they can control life. The easiest way to control is by making everything the same. They think that with a large enough rule set, everything can be controlled.

Confusion is created when we want to do something that is considered outside of the norm. The only way to do what we want to do is to throw off the strictures of society. This is easy for some, but difficult for most. A woman employed as a lineman will, at the very least, receive raised eyebrows. She may also be seen as "butch" because she's in a physical, male dominated job. A man that chooses to be a nurse rather than a doctor will often be suspected of not having "what it takes" to be a doctor. He may also be seen as feminine. It takes courage and fortitude to step outside of what our society expects of us.

Modern times are not as enlightened as people would like to think. It's a lie we tell ourselves to make us feel better. It goes along with the lie that says we can control other people. In these modern times, if a woman chooses to stay home and raise a family there are those who will criticize her. If she chooses to have a career and a family there is another set of

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