Wiving. It's an approved word on Words with Friends. The old English definitions means "to take a wife." But I'm going to use this word to mean "to be a wife." "Wiving" is an activity, an occupation that many women have failed at. Of course, many men have failed at being a husband, but I'm not going to tackle that. I'm a wife, and it's kind of a touch and go situation here. There is no manual or "right" way to be a wife, and I try my best to be one.
No one teaches you how to be a wife. The word "wife" has so many negative connotations attached to it. It brings up images of simpering women who dote on their domineering husbands, ignorant of a bigger world beyond the domestic realm. The current model I can summon up is Betty Draper from AMC's Mad Men. Betty Draper, now Betty Francis (but I can't help but think of her as anything but Don's wife; see, how pervasive the image of "wife" is!), is a beautiful, Grace Kelly-esque blond housewife who is so unhappy and bitter with her lowly station in 1960s America.
The image of wife has been transmutated in modern society. It's not even necessary to be one to do the things that usually defined the wife. Having children no longer needs to be in the institution of marriage. Some of the highest profile female figures in our society have conceived out of wedlock. They're the new sassy mom, making pregnancy chic and desirable for young girls. Then we have "16 and Pregnant," capitalizing on the idiotic choices our teens make. The "Real Housewives" franchise is full of single women, not necessarily "wives" or "housewives," for that matter.
So anyways, I'm just saying being a wife is something of a challenge for me. I chose "Striving Wiving" because I strive to be a good wife. I don't think it means anything demeaning or weak. It's a partner to someone. "Wiving" is a lifestyle choice, and it does dominate our actions.
