The Unseen Struggle: A Woman’s Experience on Facebook


In the digital age, social media platforms like Facebook have become integral to how we connect, share, and express ourselves. But for many women, especially in societies where gender roles are deeply ingrained, being active on platforms like Facebook is not just about connection - it can also be a daily emotional challenge. This article explores the unsettling and often unspoken reality of what it feels like to be a woman navigating Facebook.

The Moment a Friend Request is Accepted

For many women, the experience begins innocently enough - accepting a friend request. But what follows can be overwhelming and intrusive. The moment a woman adds someone to her friend list, her inbox often becomes a floodgate. Messages arrive with the speed and persistence of a Rafael fighter jet, some bearing harmless greetings like “hi” or “hello,” while others jump ahead, proposing friendship, romance, or even marriage.

Some want to meet over a cup of tea or coffee. Others go a step further, suggesting a candlelight dinner. The speed at which these messages escalate reveals a deeper issue - an assumption that a woman’s presence online is an open invitation for personal interaction.

Invasion of Space: Unwanted Calls and Emojis

The boundaries of respect and digital etiquette are frequently crossed. Many women find their messenger inboxes filled with unsolicited calls, love emojis, and even virtual kisses. The senders range widely in age - from teenagers as young as 15 to men in their 50s or even 70s. Regardless of age, a disturbing pattern emerges: a lack of understanding of consent and personal space.

The persistence is not only exhausting but also deeply disrespectful, reducing genuine interaction to a series of shallow attempts to gain attention or affection.

The Probing Questions

Alongside the romantic advances come a barrage of personal questions:
  • What do you do?
  • Where do you live?
  • Do you live alone or with someone?
  • Are you single?
These queries often mask a desire for control, surveillance, or a premature intimacy that hasn't been earned. Instead of building friendships based on mutual respect, the interactions become interrogations, where a woman is expected to justify her choices and her lifestyle.

Objectification Behind the Screens

The most unsettling part is perhaps the objectification that underlies these messages. Compliments pour in about a woman’s face, her eyes, or her supposed innocence. Some claim they are “mesmerized” by her eyes or “enchanted” by her smile. While appreciation is not inherently wrong, the sheer volume and tone of these messages often reduce a woman to her physical appearance - turning social media into a space of performative admiration rather than meaningful engagement.

Inboxes are filled with bridges of flattery being built by self-proclaimed "ideal lovers," all trying to outshine one another. What they fail to understand is that genuine connection doesn’t arise from forced compliments or relentless messaging - it stems from respect, space, and consent.

One Inbox, Many Faces - One Intention

The most poignant observation is that although these messages come from men of all ages, castes, religions, and names, the underlying attitude remains distressingly uniform: a sense of entitlement to a woman’s time, attention, and personal space. This behavior reveals not just a flaw in online etiquette but a deeper societal issue around how women are perceived and approached.

The Emotional Toll

Being a woman on Facebook is far from simple. Opening Messenger can feel like walking into a storm of unwanted attention, assumptions, and advances. It’s not just emotionally draining - it’s a constant reminder of the persistent lack of safe digital spaces for women.

Behind every profile picture is a person, not an invitation. Women deserve to participate in digital spaces without being objectified or harassed. Respecting boundaries online is just as important as it is in the physical world.

Conclusion

This is not just a complaint - it’s a call for introspection. Social media should be a platform for empowerment, not a place where women feel vulnerable or scrutinized. For Facebook and platforms like it to become truly inclusive, there must be a collective effort to create an environment where women can express themselves freely - without the fear of their inbox becoming a battleground of unwanted attention.

Let’s remember: being a woman online is not an invitation. It’s a presence that deserves respect.

C. P. Kumar
Energy Healer & Blogger

Amazon Books by C. P. Kumar: https://amazon.com/author/cpkumar/
YouTube Channel of C. P. Kumar: https://www.youtube.com/@cpkumar2022
Spiritual and Social Books by C. P. Kumar: http://cpkumar.lovestoblog.com/bookmarks.html

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