Things I Want for My Future Daughter

There will be lots and lots and lots of women on TV, movies, magazines, billboards, and music videos with bodies that look like hers and are simultaneously portrayed as beautiful.

This is about the best we have right now, am I right ladies?

The modern-age propaganda that Botox and fillers and plastic surgery will make her feel better about herself and, somehow, empowered is pathetic. She will know her natural self is her best self.

She can be an engineer, a doctor, a business owner, or a computer programmer, but if she decides to be a teacher, an administrative assistant, a model, or a stay-at-home mom, the value of her labor and her human worth are the same.

She doesn't have to feel guilty about speaking her mind, having a strong opinion, or likewise questioning her ideas and admitting her areas of ignorance. Furthermore, her male counterparts will do the same.

She'll never have to hear comments like these from strangers on the street: "Smile for me, girl, or I'll tug on them cheeks and make you do it." And then actually feel obligated to do so.

She will be taught how to do things like checking her car battery, fixing stuff around the house, starting a campfire, and cooking out on the grill.

She will feel empowered that her body is her own and is powerful, capable, normal, human, beautiful, functional, unique, and so much beyond merely sexual.

Showing her emotions is a powerful and brave thing that everyone should admire.

She is not responsible for always bringing in baked goods, planning a party, or organizing a card for all the office birthdays...unless she really wants to.

She can be straightforward and confident in her speech without worrying about being a bitch.

Any partner who makes her feel unhappy is not a partner she is obligated to stay with. She will know that she can and will do better.

If someone interrupts her or undermines her knowledge repeatedly, she can stop being polite.

If she loves cats, she's a frickin' normal human, not a crazy hording spinster. 

She is not responsible for more than roughly half of the domestic labor in her household.

She is entitled to generous paid parental leave, as is her partner. "When was that ever not a thing?" she'll wonder.

No matter what her genitalia looks like or who she is attracted to, she has my unconditional love and affection.

Even though she is multiracial and of partially Asian heritage, she isn't "exotic" or someone's fetish. She is a normal human being.

Taking time to be alone rather than with friends, family, or the public is not selfish. She deserves it.

Saying no without qualifying it is not selfish. She has that right.

There will have been at least one female President of the United States already in office, so she'll know women can hold down the most powerful leadership position in the world. No prob. "Mom, why were there so many old white guys for so long?" she'll ask.

Now, I invite my readers to write in your own wants for your future (or existing!) daughter in the comments!