So, what exactly does that phrase mean? 'Be more ladylike" "Act like a lady" "Ladies don't..."
In the era of lords and ladies, the women were expected to be pale, anatomically impossibly small waisted, vapid and have no opinions. Ladies were expected to have men fight their battles, cover their puddles and open their carriage doors. Women couldn't open their legs to sit on a horse, nevermind choose who to have sex with. Ladies were expected to only make choices about fabric for their gowns and drapes (and even then, the men would bring them the fabrics they could choose from; and what jewel to wear to this evening's cotillion. Women had no opinions in economics, finance, politics or law. The word hysterical was coined to blame the presence of a uterus for a women's emotions, particularly if she were angry or upset.
In today's times, the admonishment to be more ladylike is often used to put a women with a defined opinon, or a strong argument or a sense of vehemence in her "place". That place being the unheard-from corner. When a woman commentator shares her emotion charged opinion, she gets called a harpy, or another equally negative name. And it is suggested she be more lady like. As in quiet, demure and silenced.
So what do you think? Is there a place for the "act like a lady" in today's society? And is that a place where we want our daughters to be? ~Donna