Before anyone corrects me, I'll say right off the bat that not all churches are like this. This isn't the experience of every woman in the church. In fact, this can be the experience of some men in the church. However, I do claim that this is the typical experience of many women. And... this can apply outside the church as well.
I'm not pulling these ideas out of a hat. I've heard these from women I know. I've also observed these things happen in churches I've attended or been a part of. I guess it is a cultural, societal issue that we carry with us into the church. But the church is a very rich culture for this kind of thing to occur unfettered.
So... if you experience these things in the church, there's a good chance you're a woman:
you are analyzed up and down as soon as you walk in
you don't teach men and they are constantly explaining things to you
you are expected to provide food and take care of children
you feel a lot of pressure to be beautiful
the only time you're up front is to sing or make an announcement
you are conspicuous if you're alone
it's very awkward if you come with a female friend
if you get divorced it was your fault
it's assumed you have more free time to volunteer
you know that if you didn't return no one would notice
Can you add anything to this list? Leave a comment!
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to you
to you