Superwoman

We’ve all encountered “super women” in our lives. Women like our mothers, grandmothers, and aunts are held in regard as the consummate SUPERWOMAN. There have been songs written over time about women who appear to be able to do everything for everyone. What does that do to our psyche? What does it say about who we are as women?

Some of you may remember the 1988 hit, “Superwoman” by R&B artist Karyn White. In it she expresses her frustrations with trying to do everything in her relationship from, cooking breakfast to maneuvering through rush hour, yet it all seems to go unnoticed. In the chorus she says, “I’m not your superwoman…boy I am only human, this girl needs more than occasional hugs as token of love from you to me.”

In 2007, Alicia Keys released her own song titled the same, in which she embraces being all and every woman. In it Keys sings, “Cause I am superwoman, yes I am, still when I’m a mess I still put on a vest with an S on my chest.”

For all of the women out there who are or who try to be everything these two songs speak volumes. Women are innately wired to take care of other people. Yes, I know this is a generalization, but it is one I am willing to make. On one hand we take care of our children, spouses, or even our parents. Add to that our work responsibilities, school (if applicable), and personal hobbies/activities and you have the formula for a SUPERWOMAN. However, as in Karyn White’s song, sometimes we just don’t want to be that person. As much as we enjoy taking care of our loved ones, it’s equally as nice to know that someone is willing to take care of us. If we don’t step back from the day to day rigors of life we run the risk of being unable to take care of others, and ourselves as well. For as super as we are at some point we have to take off the cape and put out the sign that reads: Out to lunch.