Are young women today more or less likely to stand up for themselves as women than their mothers were 30 years ago? Explain.

"More likely. I'm 60 and I stood up for myself more than my mother did. I can only assume that young women now are following that trend."
--Debbie Williams, 60, a paralegal from Millfield

"I think that women are most likely to stand up for themselves now."
--Laleh Honar, 22, a student from Athens

"In the workplace, I believe that women today are more likely to stand up for themselves than they were 30 years ago. However, in social and sexual situations, I believe women are less likely to stand up for themselves. On one hand there seems to be more of a feeling of entitlement, on the other, less self-respect."
--Erin Hyman, 28, an office manager/delivery driver from Athens

"More. With the progression of women's rights, I believe we are more confident and assured of our rights and privileges."
--Catherine Maynard, 22, graduate student from Nelsonville

"I'd say more likely to stand up for themselves, but probably also more likely to criticize one another."
--Natalie Knoth, 21, a student/journalism major from Athens

"I believe young women are more likely to stand up for themselves than their mothers were. The way that they do it may be different but I believe more than ever, women are taking control of their lives and making decisions that are best for themselves, instead of always thinking about someone else first."
--Amanda Sharrai, 33, a community organizer from Athens

"Definitely, yes, they are MORE likely to stand up for themselves as women and as individuals. My mom, a lovely woman, did not find her own voice until late in life. I wonder what she would have changed about her life had she had the spirit and the fire that she had in her later years? I try to set an example for my girls that they can be what they want to be and that they do not need anyone or anything else to define them."
--Amie Nogrady, 42, a freelance writer from Glouster

"Many young women take the relatively 'freer' and 'better' status of women today for granted. Rights of privacy & Title IX were won in hard-fought battles when their mothers were young 30 years ago. In the past 15 years, more women than men are going to college. But men still get higher wages for the same work. On average, a woman has to work for a year AND then three and a half months (into the next April), before getting the same amount of money as a male gets for 12 months' work. This is why paycheck fairness is promoted by AAUW and other women's organizations."
--Lois D. Whealey, 78, a citizen activist/independent humanities scholar from Athens

"My generation is a confused generation. We're more likely to stand up for ourselves on some issues and less likely than others. My mother is a very polite woman, very quiet and easygoing most of the time. I'm an angry person. If I see something wrong in the world, I'll shout to anyone who will listen to call attention to the situation. When it comes to standing up for myself personally, I'm more likely to adopt my mother's attitude of just letting it go and making it better quietly."
--Caitlin Seida, 21, a freelance writer from Nelsonville

"Knowledge is power. I think girls of today have much more knowledge than I did 30 years ago. When one knows more, one is better able to express herself and get a point across. I know my 15-year-old daughter is better equipped to handle the world than I was at her age."
--Jennifer Cooper, 42, with a non-profit from Stewart

"I can say that I am way more likely to stand up for myself than my mom has ever been. The only way I know how to explain this is that I am just outgoing and I have an opinion and it should count as well. However, I can thank my grandmother for having and showing me this trait as well. She is feisty."
--Kari Lowery, 18, a student from Athens

"I think less likely. Again, I believe it is because of televisions/movies/magazines which essentially say that as long as you are pretty and 'feminine', you will go far in your life, but God forbid you might actually have a BRAIN."
--Anne Whitman, 60, an adjunct instructor from Athens

"Definitely more. Our society and culture is extensively more tolerate and accepting of women being in dominant roles. We have our own opinion, our own ideas and certainly our own voice. There is no longer just an alpha male... but the ever so sassy alpha female!!"
--Tomma Shuler, 37, in health-care management from Athens

"I don't know about this. I feel as though that something like personality and upbringing has something to do with that. I know personally, I tend to stand up more for my sister and friends and not so much for myself. That's just me."
--Kate, Nelsonville, 24, a cook/dietary aide from Nelsonville

"I think young women today are more likely to stand up for themselves. It seems more women today are educated beyond the high-school level, are career oriented, and are more independent in nature."
--Missy Brown, 40, an RN Clinical Manager from The Plains

"More, because we instill it in them to speak up more."
--Amber Skorpenske, 20, a student from Pittsburgh

"I do think young women are more likely to stand up for themselves today, because it's culturally more acceptable for them to do so than it was for their mothers 30 years ago."
--Jessie Daniel, 38, a realtor from Glouster

"I believe young women today are more likely to stand up for themselves. Everyday, I see examples of younger women refusing to be treated less than they deserve, although we still have a long way to go."
--Billie Handa, 29, Director of Development, NBIA, from Nelsonville

"Young women today are much more likely to stand up for themselves because there are now role models of strong women. Speaking strictly from a media point of view, there are hardly any 'June Cleavers' left and many more Katie Courics. Also, women are definitely raising their daughters to be stronger and more outspoken. This was a trait that was undesirable in previous generations but most of the moms from my mom's generation grew up in the '70s when women truly began to find their voice and this has been translated to their daughters."
--Daniella Limoli, 20, a student from Athens

"I do not know, but I suspect more likely. I hope so."
--Janice Phelps Williams, 54, a publisher, writer, illustrator from Athens

"Yes!!! Nowadays we are loud and outspoken. Many of us are in college or went to college, especially in Athens County, and we aren't going to get that 'Mrs.' degree anymore. It is to really get a degree of our own, one that will carry us through the good times and the bad on our own, and if someone stands in our way... Whew, Lord help them because we are on a mission!"
--Shana Snyder, 22, graduate student/substitute teacher from Athens

"I definitely think that young women feel more comfortable about speaking up for themselves. Or simply speaking up, period. The focus on propriety that was present years ago has changed into a sense of entitlement and personal power. The right to speak is accepted as being a right for all people regardless of their gender."
--Marisa Welch, 23, a sales associate and student library assistant from Athens

"I believe that women today are more likely to stand up for themselves because women now realize that we are not lesser beings and we have (or should have) the same rights as men. Granted, there are always exceptions and society is not perfect. The law does not always stand behind women as it should, and there are men and women both that still have archaic ideas about what a woman should be and how she should behave. Overall, I think that women value themselves more now, enabling them to fight against the injustices that may be occurring in their lives."
--Ellen Lambert, 27, a full-time aunt from Albany

"I hardly know any young women, but they seem to be smoking madly, chattering on cell phones and feeling that issues I might consider important are irrelevant. In my small town, I think youngsters without direction, values or alternatives are a social problem and grist for public disturbances, which necessitate police interference. I don't think they consider travelling abroad or postponing childbearing important as I did. The frequency of reported domestic abuse suggests they may not value themselves enough to see they don't deserve punishment. They might consider smoking and being mouthy standing up for themselves, but I feel pursuing education and other goals are the way to go. Though Athens is a university class, I feel there's a vast underclass of ungrammatical, shortsighted low-achieving families. Am I prejudiced or what!"
--Alexa Ross, Nelsonville, 63, a retired motel manager/actress from Nelsonville

"Women today are less likely to stand up for themselves because we are too image focused. It is much easier to be walked on than to stand up and be singled out. We are too easily discouraged today and willing to accept no for an answer."
--Tabitha Bond, 40, a business owner from Coolville

"The younger generation has forgotten their ability to stand up for themselves. I feel that women are not as strong as generations past. The young generation has forgotten responsibility as well."
--Darcie Hartley, 36, office assistant -- ABH, from Albany