Worry About My Daughter

I refuse to worry about my daughter. Point blank refuse. She’s fifteen so there’s lots I know I should be worrying about but I am not going to.

I refuse to worry about my daughter because of the unequal society she is growing up in.

I refuse to worry about my daughter because of online porn.

I refuse to worry about my daughter because of media representation of women.

I refuse to worry about my daughter because of unrealistic expectations of perfect bodies everywhere we look.

I refuse to worry about my daughter because of the low representation of women in parliament.

I refuse to worry about my daughter because of rates of body dysmorphia, eating disorders and ‘corrective’ surgery.

I refuse to worry about my daughter because she might get raped.

I won’t do it. I won’t worry about my daughter because why should I?

I won’t do it because of trust.

I won’t do it because of confidence in her.

I won’t do it because worrying about things that may never happen is just a complete waste of the present.

I’m not going to do it just to look like a caring parent.

I won’t do it because it won’t help.

I am not, repeat not, going to add to any worries she may have with anxieties of my own, I’m not going to give her that extra burden. I will not let a shitty culture for girls influence my feelings about my own daughter. I won’t allow that culture to lessen my belief in my daughter or in any way sour my experience of being her mother. I will not do that to my daughter, or to myself, or to our relationship. She’s done fine with my confidence in her so far and I’m not going to take that away from her now.

Honestly. Does she look like she needs worrying about?