Some women think that marriage and giving birth to children demand significant sacrifices. They assume that after getting married and giving birth to kids, young mothers should forget about themselves and take care of kids and husband only. Women sacrifice their dreams and things they like doing and as a result feel themselves miserable. This approach is absolutely wrong. Life does not end on the wedding day it is just getting more settled and busy, woman have a chance to become a mother and beloved wife which is just wonderful. Starting the family is fantastic, but woman should not necessarily give up on something she likes doing. She should find a compromise.
Judith Leyster was the eighth child of brewer and cloth maker ("Judith Leyster - New World Encyclopedia"). However, she enjoyed painting and nothing could discourage her. Huge trial for Judith’s career was her father’s bankruptcy ("Artist Info Judith Leyster"). Also the fact that it was not common for the woman to work and to be independent. Nothing could prevent Judith from drawing and at the age of 19 years she was mentioned as “as bold and intelligent in Samuel Ampzing’s poem “Description and Praise of the Town of Haarlem” "Judith Leyster: The First Woman To Become A Master Painter"). She is still a well-known artist, despite the fact that her working period was only 6 years. There are evidences that after her marriage she did not proceed with independent painting the way she used to. Surely, she had a lot of responsibilities and also had to take care of 5 children, which take a lot of time (Rosenberg). However, this is quite hard to understand how she could give up her favorite job. Of course back in the 17th century, it was very uncommon for women to have a profession and work, the way we understand it now. Her decision stole wonderful artist and lots of paintings from us. There are no clear evidences whether that decision was her own or she was under the influence of her time ("Judith Leyster").
Another person that I would like to give as an example is my parent’s friend. Her only aim in life was getting married. Before that she had been successful economist, always beautiful and interesting. Definitely, after marriage and giving birth to her kids she had to quit her job. However, she found a compromise. Started doing what she always wanted – writing. She started working on her first book while pregnant with her first child. As for now it is already printed. She spends a lot of time with her family, her kids never feel abandoned or lonely, but at the same time she is still working and says that now she is the happiest person ever. Her whole family is absolutely happy because mother is happy and proud with herself. I believe this is a key to a wonderful marriage.
Works cited
“Judith Leyster - New World Encyclopedia". Newworldencyclopedia.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Judith_Leyster
"Artist Info Judith Leyster". Nga.gov. N.p., 2014. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/Collection/artist-info.1485.html?artobj_artistId=1485&category=The%20Collection&category=Exhibitions&category=Visit&category=Education&category=Conservation&category=Research&category=Calendar&category=Audio%2FVideo&category=About&category=Support%20Us&category=Opportunities&category=Press&category=Notices&category=Contact%20Us&category=Online%20Features&tags=ngaweb%3Aconstituents%2F1%2F4%2F8%2F5%2FConstituent_1485&pageNumber=1&lastFacet=category
"Judith Leyster: The First Woman To Become A Master Painter". CODART. N.p., 2009. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. http://www.codart.nl/exhibitions/details/2111/
Rosenberg, Karen. "At The National Gallery, A 17Th-Century Career Woman’S Short But Sweet Career". Nytimes.com. N.p., 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/arts/design/23leyster.html?_r=0
"Judith Leyster". Vlinder-01.dds.nl. N.p., 2016. Web. 12 Apr. 2016. http://www.vlinder-01.dds.nl/cdr/paintings/judith_leyster.htm
