Femininity

In my Holocaust class we have been learning about the ways in which the Nazi's stripped the Jews of their human appearance, and in particular the women. Femininity and vanity are attributes that women pride themselves on and make them who they are. When Jewish women were forced to get their heads shaved, stand naked in front of German officials, and made infertile they were stripped of their womanhood and sense of being.

A woman's appearance is one of her highest priorities. Everyone knows that women notoriously spend hours in the bathroom getting ready and spend insane amounts of money on clothes as well as suffer the unbearable pain of high heels and waxing all to distinguish themselves from men and other women and appear feminine. Although times have changed and more is considered about a woman than her looks, appearance plays a large part in a woman's power. It effects a woman's self confidence as well as the way others perceive and treat her. A woman's appearance and femininity make them a woman and define who they are.

Giving birth is another ability women hold close because it is something only they can do. Only women can recreate life. To take all of this away from a woman leaves them empty and without a sense of pride or purpose. It ruins them.