Are the lives of Afghan women entirely different from ours, or do you see similarities in how we behave and how we live?

Are the lives of Afghan women entirely different from those of women in the West, or do you see similarities in how we behave and how we live? What are those?

There are similarities: these women care for their children, try to make a home for their families, want to look pretty and attractive, hence their eye makeup and gold jewelry. I believe if they had the choice, they would select a different way of life for their daughters, but they are trapped in a feudal society, bound by unfair laws and fear of losing everything.

The lives of Afghan women are entirely different from ours. They have no choices, no ability to make decisions about their own lives. They go from essentially being owned by their fathers to being owned by their husbands, they can't leave the house without male escorts, they may have to live with additional wives if they don't have sons, it's perfectly okay for them to be beaten by their husbands, they have to cover themselves so completely that it's difficult to move...there is no comparison.

Comparisons between Afghan women and Western women can be made but the differences appear to far outweigh the similarities. In no way, shape or form would I have been able to lead the life I have led if I had been born in Afghanistan. Independence was instilled in me as a very young girl and I have asserted that independent side of my personality throughout my life - in school, at work, and in my social life. Very few of my decisions have been dictated for me by my father or husband. At Afghan woman, with very few exceptions, leads her entire life in the shadow of, and beholden to, a man.

In some very conservative areas of the US women are still treated as property. Trying to leave an abusive relationship is fraught with dangers. In some instances it seems to be better to be 'bound and protected.' I don't agree but many do.

There are a handful of similarities - that come from being human and mothers and sisters. Overall, however, the differences are striking.

These women of Afghanistan are very similar to us in their wants and needs as mothers and daughters; but their lives are forced to be very different.

I've come back to this discussion as the book made such an impression on me. It's now on the way to my attorney grandson in NYC. I shall be interested in learning his reaction to the book upon his reading of it. Now, as to the question of differences and similarities between Afghan women and those of women in the United States. Women in both nations fiercely love their children. This is the "justification" for some Afghan women raising their girls as boys. Not because they are ashamed of having girls, but proud of their smart girls and wanting to see them succeed by whatever means in that closed society. Mothers in the USA work two jobs sometimes and sacrifice in other ways so their daughters too can reach their potential. They encourage them in "non-traditional" jobs. In both instances, it takes courage for the mothers to support their daughters in such ways. Let us hope the days will soon come when young women around the world will be encouraged to use their intelligence in ways as creative as boys are encouraged to do. Mothers may then sit back and enjoy the successes of their daughters regardless of the country in which they live.