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_Seasons Greetings_
Women prone to holiday blues
Alternatives to traditional hol
iday leslrvtites are especial
ly needed tor women who
(eel overworked and alienated
during the season, said a
women's minister and family
counselor
Women sometimes feel alien
ated by Christian theology, which
dominates the holiday season,
said Danahy Sharonrose who
has taught a workshop at the
Asher ah Sanctuary m Eugene for
the last two years titled "Reclaim
ing the Holidays Creating Alter
nate Hobday Happiness *
1 Women may not notice on a
conscious level that the holiday
we celebrate worships a male
god and we give hon-.tr to a male
child," Sharonrose said “This
male symbolism may help
women feel alienated and unrep
resented ”
Single women are especially
prone to feeling lonely and
depressed during the holidays,
she said
“The picture is that you go
home to the family for the holi
days, blit not every woman has a
biological family that she relates
to. or is in a relationship with.”
Sharonrose said.
The holidays can also be a
very lonely lime lor lesbians and
bisexual women, she said
"Duo to prejudice, a family
might no longer welcome them,"
Sharonrose said. “Some lesbian
couples may be forced lo choose
to be with their family or their
partner because the partner isn't
welcome in the home *
Women often feel overworked
and tense during the holidays
because their traditional female
role as caretaker is accentuated.
Sharonrose said
“The meats, the party prepara
tions, gift buying and wrapping is
often put on women.* she said
"Our culture has taught us that
were supposed to party, run
around and be very active at this
time ot year, and this is especial
ly true for women," she said
This constant, frantic action is
contradictory to what the holiday
season was originally intended to
celebrate. Sharonrose said
It was originally about honor
ing the darkness of winter and
celebrating the return of the sun,"
she sad. "It is a time to be quiet,
turn inward and slow down ”
Sharonrose said women
should tailor the holiday season
to fil their own needs and beliefs
"Think about how you’d like to
spend the time," she said "You
don't have to celebrate the holi
days the same old way.”
Some women are abandoning
Christian theology, and the com
mercialization that accompanies
the holiday season, and are turn
ing to ancient Earth religions that
honor seasonal changes and
goddesses
Sharonrose said women
should create their own traditions
instead of following ones that
depress them
"II you are a lesbian, rather
than leave your partner behind,
you might want to create a more
supportive family for yourself
from among your friends," she
said
"Act out w hat brings
you enjoyment. Holi
day traditions are so
institutionalized. Our
minds get stuck think
ing there is only one
wav to cc lehr ate"
l hi nahy Sharonn > s e
Holiday Workshop Teacher
She suggests staying in town
and volunteering at a homeless
shelter or inviting people to a
potluck.
"Act out what brings you enjoy
ment." Sharonrose said. “Holiday
traditions are so institutionalized
that our minds get stuck thinking
there is only one way to cele
brate"
For example, eating and drink
ing are big holiday traditions, but
many women have eating disor
ders. or are alcoholics.
“Go Christmas caroling, or do
something active," she said
She also suggests that single
women get together on Christ
mas morning for an organized
hike or a walk.
" You’re not the only one that's
alone." she said. "When we take
action, not only do we discover a
tun way to spend the time but we
empower ourselves and we quit
feeling like victims “
Hv Mara Stine
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