Why do women have such a low opinion of themselves?

It annoys the living daylights out of me that women find it necessary to rely on men for their happiness.

No, what really annoys me is how many women don't have the courage to take their life into their own hands and say " I can survive on my own - yes, it's scary, but I want to do it without relying on a man to support me".

So many women I know say that if they ever split up with their husbands they do not know what they will do.

In this day and age, surely women are allowed the courage to stand up without being attached with a social stigma - 'cause really that's what it comes down to.... embarrassment at being by themselves and making mistakes - wondering about what other people with say and think of a strong woman....