Frankie Essex has caused a stir online by saying women need a man in their life rather than being independent.
The former TOWIE star posted an inspirational message on her Instagram, which read: “The smartest thing a woman can ever learn, is to never need a man.”
However, in the caption underneath she wrote: “So many girls/women have been taught that women can be independent but I think we all need a man whether it be your dad or family a friend or a lover men we need but still I’m all for independent women.”
The post immediately divided opinon.
Some of Frankie’s followers spoke out in favour of the words in the image, with one writing: “Powerful quote.”
And another commenting: “I don’t but it would be nice to love and be loved.”
However others agreed with the reality star's caption, with one responding: “I agree! I need my husband, if I did’t have him, I simply wouldn’t want to go on. He is my everything and no, not speaking money-wise…”
Despite claiming it’s not necessary for women to be independent, Frankie turned her life around on her own last year after finding herself in a bad relationship with her ex John Lyons and gaining weight.
The star lost three stone and and went from a dress size of 14-16 to 8 after battling depression.
She told The Sun: “I didn’t want to wake up the next day, I couldn’t get out of bed. I was in a hole, drinking and going out. I was burying my head in the sand, I was really in a bad way, overweight and in a bad relationship that I wanted to get out of.
“Drink for me is a depressant and, if I had a drink and wake up on my own I’d not know what to do with myself, so I’d just sit in everyday, eat and just think about the bad times and the s**t times and feel sorry for myself…
“I’ve not been to counselling, I went to one person once to speak about stuff and I’ve actually learnt this myself. I’m off antidepressants, I’ve done this on my own.”
Do you agree with Frankie when she says women don’t need to be independent? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.
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