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Raised To Be Compliant

We got confused They could hurt our feelings But we were not supposed to hurt theirs They could do evil things to us And we were supposed to turn our cheek Allow them to increase their target We were supposed to be doormats And allow them to wipe their steel toed boots on us We did not question it; socialized the way we were By a woman Who would not have tolerated Any misbehaviors from others.

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 9/8/2021 7:53:00 PM

Strange, these inconsistencies, aren't they?! So true too, Caren. :) gw

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/9/2021 8:46:00 AM

My sister and I both got the message that "good Christians" are doormats and yet our mother would have not been a doormat for anyone.

Joe Dimino

Date: 9/8/2021 7:28:00 PM

Where are all these compliant women? I have yet to meet one:) Kidding aside, very well written, and a positive message. Brava!

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/8/2021 7:43:00 PM

Thank you Joe; you may kid me all you want. It is fine; I appreciate your visit my friend.

Virginia Gelok

Date: 9/8/2021 6:05:00 PM

I think a lot of us woman were raised to be compliant. It is such a shame because if one gets the strength to change it often takes many years. I know, I WAS that person.

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/8/2021 7:21:00 PM

I took a assertiveness training class and they pointed out how rapidly I switched from passive to aggressive skipping assertive.

L Milton Hankins

Date: 9/7/2021 7:34:00 PM

Hmmm...most interesting. You are so right about this, Caren. Soooo, today, I decided to stop allowing someone to harass me (and a couple of others, too) on Poetry Soup! Good for me! You know me well enough to know that I am very thoughtful, kind, and considerate of others, but...I've had it with this troll~!

Caren Krutsinger
Date: 9/8/2021 7:20:00 PM

How horrible!