Cheryl was a typical girl
reared to find a husband
so she could rear his kids
feed clean and be his servant
and he would earn the income
girls are programed for this
they expect no more
best if they have no brains
or original thoughts
fit the presentable mould
then find they’re bored or
disappointed a chattel to serve
hold nothing back in reserve
put down told off manipulated
rigid demands on limited budget
never physically abused
but often a subject of amuse
her wages keep them, he
hoards each dollar and controls
three kids but mother to four
as resentment and dissatisfaction
build she finds herself isolated
best to stay put for the kids sake
they need their father altho
he seldom gives quality time
Cheryl feels unworthy
amusing herself online
her input never valued
sure some have compatible
marriages others prefer
another existence
yet stereo types go
unquestioned the
Cheryl’s too docile
controlled by expectations …
sure this is not every woman’s lot
but give a hoy if you’d like some others like this …
sampling different kinds of relationships
aroused 
One common story here in my country this is. Some mold themselves after marriage into their new surroundings, while many refuses to, which results in nothing but chaos for both sides.
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a woman’s lot is seldom pretty Hammad, fortunate you had a son!
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But I assure that countless folks in almost every part of Pakistan love and respect their women wholeheartedly. They are even allowed to pursue their careers, after getting married and having kids.
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but I bet they still do all the child care and home duties too … when that is shared 50/50 we will truly know that we are sincerely appreciated, words are empty!
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From what I’ve seen here, sharing of duties is kind of like 55/45 on the scale.
Man is still in-charge but in the times of need, those charging duties shift on the other side.
Take my example: Except for breast feeding part during my son’s early years, I took care of every little need of his.
Preparing milk for him, putting him to sleep, giving bath to him, changing his clothes, washing him up on the toilet, teaching him how to use the toilet, teaching him how to eat food on his own, teaching him how to change his clothes on his own and so much more.
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wow that’s super great Hammad, my brother brought up his three kids as his wife preferred to work. Bet you cook, clean house and wash too, that’s real liberation for your wife, thanks heaps!
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It is far too many women though. They are made to feel useless and helpless. It’s horrific.
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yes no empowerment or choices, it breaks my heart!
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It seems to be a matter of lack of self esteem that fuels this condition by playing subservient roles.
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that would wholly blame the woman and completely overlook the role societal expectations and male roles impact have!
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The story of many but the worst part is they are brought up in such rigid manner that they see no good in themselves.
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exactly and we all have skills and joy to share!
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Definitely.
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Very well said, Kate and we see many many women just the way you have said. Nothing for themselves but toiling from morn to night and no appreciation. Yes but not all are like that. Sad.
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So many Cheryls around us…different situation but the end result the same! There is no need for women to stand alone but have faith in their own capabilities. Well said, Kate.
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thanks for adding your voice sis … and women can find the support they need to leave if they just look around 🙂
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You are welcome and can’t help but add voice to the pertinent issues you write about. 🙂
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Still too many Cheryl’s in our world. 😦
Important poem, SweetKate!
I would love for you to write more touching on all different kids of relationships.
HUGS!!! 🙂
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thanks Carolyn … none are right or wrong but we do need to take our blinkers off in order to move forward 🙂
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Very well said. Do write more like this. Have a great time
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thanks so much for the encouragement!
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A woman needs to stand for herself. They are taggedd to have no brains by men because of submitting to others needs than hers. Personally every woman should nurture herself to be strong enough to stand alone.
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that would be the ideal Kritika but in reality it seldom happens … those of us who are strong enough to do this need to understand and support their struggle.
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Some may say this is too much of a fiction but as Gina said, i interviewed women who had suffered abuse and violence (for my book) and some of them, though were not abuse physically, were like Cheryl. And sadly most of them like Cheryl stayed in the marriage because of the children.
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the main reason but also lack of self-worth … that they deserved any better … I know far too many Cheryls!
Thank Mich for adding your voice 🙂
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You are definetely correct by saying lack of self worth kate. And this could be associated from the fact that in some countries and cultures women don’t really have much opportunities. I remembered back when i was still teaching my femae students would tell me they wanted a degree in medicine or engineering (these degrees are very expensive) but they can’t do it because their parents would say “nahh you dont need to be an engineer or a doctor, you’ll get married anyway, and then you’ll end up in the house for the rest of your life”…my heart bleeds for them and the least that i can always tell them is, finish the course your parents want and then get a job and finance your own dream of becoming an engineer or a doctor, prove them wrong”.
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great advice Mich … I financed my studies as a mature aged student, didn’t do me any harm 🙂
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Even though times have changed, women are still taught (by the example of their mothers who learned from their grandmothers, who learned from their mothers ad infinitum) to be the care givers and home makers. And the men they marry are taught the same way to have a certain expectation. In these “enlightened” times where there is a supposed partnership, too often the labor in the home is not evenly divided women take on 90% and the men do 10%… it will take many generations before the labor reaches 50-50.
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I pray you’re wrong but fear you’re right …
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I have worked very hard to not raise my teenage daughters, or son, to see marriage this way. Great poem….
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may all mothers have a similar attitude!
They will be lovely kids Wnedi 🙂
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thank you…………I can only pray! 🙂
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stranger than fiction some would say. Life stories are similar but never the same. Mich interviewed many women here and we met up the last time she related the depth of her research for her book. Every life matters and their story is unique.
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This one is quite common in many cultures. But a dismal existence for the woman.
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I do hope you can write something that gives hope to them or a way out of their problems.
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only they can do that Sadje, no knight in shining armour can rescue them … they must take action themselves … but getting them to see it’s not enough is the tough bit, that they could have something better …
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You’re right. Right words can provide the incentive.
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acknowledging that they have no joy in their life is needed before they take any action 🙂
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