Written by Lisa Beebe   

Stay-at-home mom or career woman? The options for women, although for economic reasons, the former is becoming less and less likely.

Keeping a household running smoothly and raising children is a hard, full-time job. Women's Lib made women frazzled trying to do that and have a career, too.

Can't be done. I discovered long ago that you can't have it all. You must choose.

Which brings me to my idea of Women's Lib. Equal opportunity and equal pay.

The Women's Movement advocated women be like men. Wrong. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, that's giving men a status they don't deserve.

Men and women are different. Vive la difference! Is it innate or conditioned? Are men physically incapable of doing dishes? Women incapable of changing oil in a car? Are women incapable or uninterested? Hard to tell.

There is no doubt we live in a patriarchal society. There have been matriarchies. Personally, I think neither is good. Equality should prevail. power shared. Equal opportunity and equal pay.

Each gender brings its own set of assets and liabilities. Women dressing like men and being aggressive [read 'bitchy' for women] is not where it's at. Being feminine while commanding is.

Does wearing a dress, make-up, or heels make you less competent or commanding? If you're a marathon runner, yes; in an office, no.

Bottom line -- be yourself. Be that a feminine woman, a masculine male, or some combination thereof.