Lately I've been seeing a lot of women make some statements that don't quite sit right with me. These women, who proudly and openly degrade themselves, honestly and truly believe that they are "less than" a man. These women insist that traditional gender roles, in which a woman carries fewer rights than a man, in which their purpose lies solely within a home to serve a man/ family, are just the way that "God intended things to be."

I'm writing this today to tell those women that they are perfectly able to live a life according to those customs, if that's what they so choose to do. However, keep close to your heart that you are capable of so much more. When I hear a woman limit herself to the gender roles constructed by a patriarchal society, my heart hurts. Young girls are taught from a young age that they must learn to cook, clean, and maintain a home in order to make a man happy. But what about teaching young girls to make themselves happy?

These same young girls grow up in a world that tells them their priorities should concern how they are perceived by others, especially men. We've heard it all: Be beautiful, but don't be too beautiful because that will distract boys and send the wrong message. Have you gained weight? You're as skinny as a stick, men don't like that. There's no need to cause a scene, just be quiet. Don't be so bossy. Act like a lady!

This is why I can't blame the women who feel so obligated to please everyone in the world (except for themselves). I can, however, enlighten them to their potential. These women may choose to live for others... and that is fine. I am in no way trying to downplay the importance of stay at home moms; if you simply hold that ambition in life, then be the best mom you can be. This is not about them. This article goes out to the women who are making the case that boundaries are being crossed if one dares to venture out of this role.

To those women I say, continue. Continue to remain dependent on a man. Continue to let outdated norms of gender dictate your life. Continue to sit at home, wash clothes, and prepare dinner. Continue to counteract the progress strong women have made in great strides for the past century. Continue to provide a sense of motivation for others like me out to prove people like you wrong. Continue to tell me I can't do something because of what's in between my legs. Continue to watch me go out into the world and embody strength, knowledge, and power. Continue to let me be the one to conquer the unconquerable; let me be an example for all the young girls who are told they are "less than a man" by people like you.

Look ladies, you think we're "less than" men because God used Adam's rib to create Eve? No, honey. God created Eve once he saw that men needed women. You do not need a man. My daughter will know that no dream is unobtainable, no ambitions are too high. When she is told "you run like a girl," she will reply "thank you." Instead of baking a cake and saying she is "wifey material," she will follow her passions in life knowing there are no limitations and be "woman material." Because being a woman is not only something to be proud of, being a woman is something to own. You have to own your womanhood not only because of all the people who told you what that should entail, but more importantly for yourself. You should live according to a purpose which holds no chains tied to others out of obligation. You are more than a socially constructed role. You are invincible. You are unstoppable. You are a woman.

Now go out there and kick some ass.