Dignity of Women

I read John Paul II’s Encyclical, Mulieris Dignitatem, which presents many arguments about the dignity and vocation of women. Women have equal personal resources as men.

John Paul II has made it clear that women have no less personal resources than men do. Therefore, a woman, as well as a man, must realize her dignity. The following text provides support to the Holy Father’s argument:

“The personal resources of femininity are certainly no less than the resources of masculinity: they are merely different. Hence a woman as well as a man, must understand her “fulfillment” as a person, her dignity and vocation, on the basis of these resources, according to the richness of the femininity which she received on the day of creation and which she inherits as an expression of the “image and likeness of God” that is specifically hers”(Mulieris Dignitatem, 10).

When the Holy Father says “personal resources” he is referring to human and spiritual resources. Human and spiritual resources refer to our ability to love and make rational choices. This also includes free will and intellect, which makes it capable for us to know and love God. Having been created in the image of God and having these resources allows husbands and wives to love their children, who are also created in God’s image and likeness. Pope John Paul II does not say women love children more or less than men do, or have more or less intellect than men do, rather it is in different ways that men and women carry out these two aspects, according to their vocations. A father may show his love for his children by carrying them on his shoulders all day at a carnival, while a mother may not have the strength to do such an act; she shows love for her children in other ways, such as physical affection and probably, more physical affection than the father. Women and men both have dignity that is derived of their creation in the image and likeness of God.