Happily Never After

Earlier today, I was watching a favorite show of women everywhere- SATC. After one episode, one clearly sees that this show isn't made to be realistic. Sex and the City is the story of four girlfriends in New York City trying to find fulfillment in men. Many SATC fans would disagree with this statement, but even as a die-hard fan, I swear it's true.

The sad thing, though, is that though many of the women 'hate' men, they are constantly searching for a man. And if they are taken, they are looking for ways to better their relationship. I was thinking 'life isn't really like this' when I watched it, but is it?

It's wrong in the sense that we don't always get our happy ending. A woman breaking up with her boyfriend of 10 years and the mysterious maintenance man decides he's in love with her don't usually happen simultaneously (no, this is not a SATC episode).

On the other hand, the show is very accurate in showing women's constant need for men. Not all women (but a good percentage) find their fulfillment in men. When a woman gets together with her friends, what do they talk about? MEN (and shoes). It's heartbreaking. It makes me almost be embarrassed to admit I do these things.

Take Samantha for example, she convinces herself that she's above men by sinking down to their level (having lots and lots of casual sex). Or Miranda, who tries to control every aspect of her life, and never really takes a leap of faith to see if the life unattained is better. What about Charlotte? Charlotte's primary goal in life is to get married. She looks for marrying qualities in every man she dates, but breaks her own rules when a cute guy comes around. And Carrie? Carrie makes her living off discussing women's love [sex] lives, and all she really wants is for everything to be okay with her and Big.

It's sad. I'm not saying that we should blame the media for our men-depend society, or saying that anything is wrong with dating, or wanting to get married. No, not at all. Marriage is a beautiful thing. Heck, sex is a beautiful thing (not that I would know). But should these things define us? Should we allow them, let alone encourage, them to?

I love the Y chromosome as much as the next girl, but I think it's our job as a society to teach the younger generation that though having a man is a wonderful thing, it is not the "thing." To girls everywhere who are single, fabulous, and letting their pursuits go to a better cause-my hat is off.