Wearing the Pants

You’ve got to credit Amelia Bloomer and history when it comes to the term “wearing the pants”- after all, a lot of meaning has been derived from the transition from women wearing skirts to pants.

(Photo credit: Sean Hsueh)

Women have been slowly working their way up and around in the working world- here in the 21^st century, what was once considered the man’s place, is now a shared place.

‘Wearing the pants’ doesn’t have to be symbolic of this constant power struggle between men and women in the workplace or at home. I believe ‘wearing the pants’ is an empowering term for women to be independent, strong, and brave.

Across time, women have often been portrayed as needy, whiny, clingy, and dependent upon men. Well, I think that type of portrait is outdated now. Women are not as dependent on men anymore. Just look around! We play sports, work full time, are successful presidents and CEOs of big companies, and more!

(Photo credit: Sean Hsueh)

To me, ‘wearing the pants’ is equivalent to demanding respect. In the same way a man in a suit tells people that he’s in command and expects respect, for women, wearing the pants asks others not to define a woman by her sexuality, but rather by her qualifications, credibility, and skill.