Caught In The Middle

Whenever I hear this song it brings back bittersweet memories of the year it was released.  My marriage of less than three years had ended in divorce putting me basically on my own for the first time in my life.  Values and lifestyles were changing across the nation leaving many of us females in particular confused as we searched for our place in the scheme of life
 I don’t know how quickly other females of my age group adapted to the new concepts, but for me it was a struggle.  While I applauded ideas like equal pay for equal work, and women being valued for their brains as well as their bodies, I really didn’t see the value in burning my bra or degrading males.  However, it was the more personal lifestyle changes that this song spoke to me about.
 Now as then I believe this woman was experiencing the conflict in her heart and mind between the core values she had been raised with and the reality of the times.  Woman who had been raised to remain virtuous until marriage were now free to indulge in sex without commitment, love, or even a basic knowledge of their partner as a person without fear of guilt, reprisal or being ostracized from society.
 It sounds good on many levels and for the generations since it seems to have worked well.  For me it left me feeling dirty, damaged beyond repair, and anything but a lady.  Like this woman I knew it had been my choice and I could expect nothing in return, but I still longed for the reassurance of a morning kiss and loving voice letting me know I still had value to them beyond a mere “roll in the sack”.  What a paradox of the times this song spoke to so eloquently—value us for our brains not just our bodies, but don’t worry about being required to make any commitment beyond a one night stand.
 Now as then, I find I have to have that reassurance so if someone is not looking to call me Angel In The Morning they can pass me by.