Something I’ve long believed was confirmed in an article I read last week: Women are better survivors than men.
The following excerpt is from the article by Ben Sherwood, author of ‘The Survivors Club.
Indeed, women are much better survivors than men. I discovered this surprising fact in the woods of Washington State, where the United States Air Force trains its people in the art of survival, evasion, resistance and escape (shorthand: SERE) when I asked a hard-nosed instructor if he can tell immediately who’s got the survival instinct and who doesn’t.
After putting countless men and women through very uncomfortable survival training – translation: wet, cold, exhausted and hungry – it turns out that women rule, especially moms. In this instructor’s experience, women who have gone through childbirth frequently fare better than the most strapping aviators. Under extreme pressure and deprivation, he says, the brawniest men can crumble like blue cheese while moms hang tough.
Obviously, your chances of survival depend on specific circumstances (and men definitely possess certain physical advantages), but the Air Force instructor wanted to make a point: Moms are impressively unflinching in the face of adversity. After all, he explains, moms have handled real pain. They understand sacrifice. They’re driven by a purpose greater than themselves. They’re problem solvers and multitaskers. They’re accustomed to delaying gratification. In short, they’re very effective survivors. http://www.thesurvivorsclub.org/
I love being a woman and would never want to trade places with a man.
I have listed some of my favourite survivors … drum roll please …
- Jochabed – Mother of Moses from the Bible who risked everything to save the life of her son.
- Lady Margaret Beaufort – Matriarch of the Tudor Dynasty. An amazing survivor who risked everything for the safety and future throne of her son.
- Catherine of Aragon – Henry VIII’s first wife who would not give up her position as Henry’s one and true wife.
- Elizabeth I – Born a princess, declared illegitimate at 3 years old at the time of her mother’s execution. After dodging many bullets, finally made it to the throne and reigned for 45 years, 4 years shy of her father, brother and sister combined.
- Susanna Wesley – Mother of John & Charles Wesley & 17 other children. She is often referred to as the mother of Methodism. There is so much about this woman I love.
- Nigella Lawson – Goddess of the kitchen, so much to say about her life!
- Britney Spears – Albeit not a popular choice., but a survivor nevertheless!
Interestingly, all of the above are women and all (with the exception of Elizabeth I) are mothers.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this post Amy.
Throughout history we know of many heroins who have sacrificially and purposefully carved a path out for the lives we are able to lead today. For this I want to say thank you. Without their feminine strength and courage, our lives and the lives of our daughters would look quite different.
Show me a man who can wade through hours of labour after months of cramped and sleepless nights, to then look after a newborn around the clock using a body that feels like it has been hung and quartered and a mind that has gone to jelly, during another few months of periods of sleep no longer than a few hours.
I tread lightly though in my undiluted praise of women as to not step on the egos of our male counterparts. MANY men have supported and contributed to our successes. A partnership of which, when executed well, is mighty!
Love this Amy and Love the Britany Spears mention at the end. So many that could be added to the list. I think it would be a good exercise for everyone to take your lead and make a list of their own. I’m going to.
Well written. Thank you.
Susan
PS…I forgot a biggie off my list: Mary mother of Jesus!
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