A subject that might make your stomach turn and maybe even make you stop reading this post. But it's something that needs to be discussed. And I'm willing to discuss it.
I, myself, am a feminist. I 100% am for equal rights for men and women.
In my sociology class this past week, my teacher brought up the question, "Should men and women be equal?" Not are they, but should they.
He discussed different aspects of equality.
- Jobs.
- Opportunity.
- Respect.
- Roles in the home.
And several more.
We decided that yes. Jobs should be equal. Women should earn just as much as men for the same job. As of 2012, a woman earned 77 cents to a man's dollar. Even though they work just as hard. A woman can be a pilot, and a man can be a teacher-which is traditionally a feminine occupation.
And a yes for equal opportunities.
But a lot of the class (excluding myself) voted no for respect. They claimed they should both be respected, but to different degrees. They said men should have higher respect as the "stronger" sex. The women should have respect in things such as actions like opening the doors, pulling their chairs out for them by men, being that they're sensitive and dainty, etc.
But I brought up an idea that women and men are held to the same respect. That women are seen as strong and men can share their feelings. And then some boys- and even a couple girls- argued with the idea of the traditional home.
The traditional home.
The man: Father, strong, head of the house, disciplining. Goes to work. Provides.
The woman: Mother, sensitive, kind. Cooks and cleans while father is at work.
A boy commented and said that this is how it is: "Men work. Women cook, clean, and raise the kids. That's how it is and that's how it always should be."
I raised my hand and I could feel my heart beating harder as I was about to argue with this very close minded boy.
"This is the 21st century. Women can go to work. And men can stay at home," I argued. "We don't wear bonnets and top hats any more than only men go to work and women stay home. Men can be sensitive and women can be strong. I say we scrap this idea of limiting men and women to those roles. Let the women go out to work with out having to feel guilt for leaving her kids. And let the men stay home without being called 'Mr. Mom'." The boy stared at me in utter disbelief. But I just smiled at him.
He continued to make several extremely sexist comments, and every now and then another student would laugh with him.
Let him laugh. But I hope that one day, the sex you were given at birth doesn't define what you can and can't do. And I hope you feel the same.
