Born in 2004, I am aware that according to societal standards, my expiration date is set for 2034. In less than 15 years, the quantity and quality of the eggs in my ovaries will decrease, my menstrual cycle will become less regular, and my hormone levels may fluctuate or decline. Thus, according to multiple teachers, preachers, and especially the aunties next door who have been wearing my ears off throughout my early girlhood, I will be deemed expired.
As a woman, it is truly disheartening to live in a world where my worth is tightly linked to my ability to conceive a child. To be bombarded with lectures about how I should treat my body, when I should get married, and what I should be looking for in life. I have had my choices predetermined, dictated by the expectations imposed on me by society as early as i hit puberty. This societal expectation that's heavily rooted in patriarchy and the way women are viewed in society.
Historically, women were only seen as vessels for childbearing, inferior to men. Although women's empowerment movements have made progress, there's no denying that this attitude still persists, particularly in developing countries like Indonesia. This leads to the notion that even now, women's primary purpose is to procreate and raise children. Not only that this belief is outdated, but also very limiting as it deduced women's worth to the mere function of a uterus.
While it is true that fertility declines with age and there are increased risks associated with pregnancies in older women it is harmful to make this the sole determinant of a woman's worth. It is crucial for us to discontinue this belief moving forward. By clinging to this belief, we impose unnecessary pressure on women to start families, regardless of their readiness. The consequences are unstable relationships, emotionally unavailable parents, and the perpetuation of broken generations.
Women deserve the freedom to make choices about their personal lives without succumbing to patriarchal pressures and expectations. We should be valued for the diverse roles and responsibilities we undertake in society, beyond our ability to bear children. Let us break free from these outdated beliefs and redefine the essence of womanhood in today's society.
