Earlier this week, I was asked “What are the ten most important thing women, 18 to 34, need to know about to remain culturally relevant.”  I thought about it and here is my list in no particular order. Add your ideas in the comments.

1. Economic Independence: Know that they can pursue their dreams and not starve.
2. Reproductive Rights: Be aware of how that the President appoints judges to the Supreme Court and that reproductive laws can vary from state to state.
3. Being comfortable with your sexuality: whether you are a serial dater, married, single, lesbian, bisexual. Practicing abstinence counts, too.
4. Communicate effectively with grace and like a grown-up. Showing humility with others and stop the baby talk.
5. Read about the world both locally and globally: read books, newspapers, magazines and online media.  Know what is going on in the world around you.
6. Green your life: Be aware of you can be green.  More than recycling.  It is about using less.
7. Being fit: Start now with healthy habits. Walking, running, yoga, going to the gym.
8. Enjoy food: Grown your own. Cook your own meals.
9. Accept yourself: Be confident about your mind and body. Appreciate your mental quirks and physical being.
10. Develop your own personal style: Know what colors and clothes fits your personality and body.

• http://theambershow.net amber of theambershow

  At age 26, I’m working on #9. I’m pretty ok with my body, but I’m learning to accept my mental quirks. (I have to stop saying to myself, “You’re a dork, shut up!”)

  This is a lonely endeavor, as my female peers all seem to be talking about their “horrible hips” or “thunder thighs” and ignoring their inner workings and thoughts, many of which focus on the inane and unimportant.

• bobbin

  Sounds good, but for #10, I would say “personal style” involves a lot more than your clothes. Personal style also covers the way you relate to people, the way you handle a crisis, the way you communicate – in fact, all of the above (1 through 9).

• Laurie

  I found this post just today. The date, Oct. 17th caught my eye, which strangely enough is my daughter Nichelle’s birthday. Anyhow, she is just 19, but is well on her way to knowing herself and achieving the 10 things you talk about.