Panelists, audience bounce around answers to the popular question
No, it’s not the sequel to the Mel Gibson movie; rather it is a question that has been asked by many, probably since the dawn of time. However, on Thursday, as part of the Conference on World Affairs, dozens of women, not to mention dozens of men, gathered to gain more insight to the question, “What do women really want?”
The panelists included four women from different parts of the globe: Christine Hogan, Janette Ballard, Janet Breslin-Smith and Maddalena Fallucchi all had their own voices and opinions to the age-old question.
The answers varied from the funny replies men gave, “What women really want is a bubble bath with constant jets, candles, and chocolate while classical music and whale sounds play in the background,” to the more serious issues of the different ways women are treated in the workforce.
Panelist Janet Breslir-Smith discussed her difficulties in attempting to becoming an international business major and how some of the men around her questioned her decision in her career. One of her professors even told her that rather than pursuing a job in international business, she would be better off pursuing a career as a Playboy bunny.
Italian panelist Maddalena Fallucchi discussed how in the common workplace, especially in Italy, it is rare to have a woman as a mentor, as the workplace is more dependant on men’s values to reach the top. Rather than helping each other, Fallucchi said, women see each other as competitors and are more aggressive in their attempt to make it to the top.
When the audience was asked what they believed it was women wanted, the answers were varied. However, throughout the entire conference there seemed to be an underlying answer to the long asked question.
What is it women really want? Perhaps the best answer to this question lies in what any human being on earth wants and is really quite simple. To love, and be loved in return, to be free to make ones own choices and to progress in life however (s)he wishes, and to be respected, regardless of age, race or sex, is what every human being deserves.
And hey, bubble baths, shopping sprees and chocolate don’t hurt either.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Alexandria Bath at alexandria.bath@thecampuspress.com.
