Thoughts: Gender Equality.
I don't know about you but when someone talks about gender equality, I often only hear them talk about women's rights. About standing up for women and helping them to obtain equal rights as men but if you carefully break it down, gender equality doesn't mean that.
Gender equality means having equal rights for BOTH men and women. While the world probably emphasize more on women's rights than on men, there is no existence of the so called gender equality. Let me illustrate.
When a men hit on a girl by catcalling or things like that, he would be called a pervert and be looked down upon. When women does the same to men, they won't be condemned. While this doesn't happen in the past, I dare say that today, even men are being wooed and catcalled by women. This is a form of sexual harassment and even when it's done by a women, it is still a sexual harassment and they should be equally condemned.
We women fight for our rights to work and have our own income so we do not have to depend on men. but when it comes to dating, the guy is supposed to be responsible for all the paying while the girl just doesn't spend a single penny. Is this equal? I doubt so. In my opinion, for the freedom we get, we should give something in return. A relationship is a two way thing, if the guy contributes, the girl should as well. Doesn't it seem illogical that guys should be accounted for all expenses while girls have their own income too? Now not only women are in competition with men for a decently paid job but they have to pay for all their girlfriend or wives' expenses as well. In the past, women didn't have jobs so it would make sense that the person who has income, which is the guy to pay for all expenses. But given today's situation, is it fair? Is it still gender equality.
Of course, under certain circumstances, what i have mentioned might not be applicable.
And, It is true that the fight for feminism should go on as there are still women in other countries who hasn't obtain their basic human rights but the thing is, while fighting for feminism, are we taking advantage of men / ignoring their rights? When one thing changes, I believe that other things related should change and adapt to the new situation as needed. It would not make sense if women are fighting for their rights and men are denied of theirs.
Yes, they may be "stronger" but at the end of the day, they are still humans who deserve to be treated like humans. Just because they SHOULD respect you, doesn't mean that you should take full advantage of it. When you receive something, give the same back, or more.
All in all, gender equality does not evolve around "female rights" it includes the fight for male rights as well. It is so that both gender would have equal treatment and rights. It is not to say that one would be prioritized more than the other. Women are being raped all over the world, the same goes to men. There are men who are raped as well.
We weren't given a choice to choose which gender we want to become. Just because you're a female doesn't mean you should take advantage of all the benefits given to you in expense of the male race.
and remember that gender equality isn't just about female. That is gender inequality.
1 comments
Nicely written. A post that is informative and insightful.
ReplyDeleteWould like to chip in this bit:
Over the years, services, policy, rights and tradition have been very men-centred, leaving the women out of the planning. A very good example would be global contraceptive measure, or the life skill subject in Malaysian education system. Therefore, we may see women-centred policy is being made. For example, longer maternity leave, women parking and so on. This is not to single out the men, but to balance the risk experienced by the women, compared with men. It does not mean that women will not exprience forced penetration in women car park. But, the risk now is lower compared to other general car park. Men however have lower risk (does not mean no risk) being penetrated forcefully at the car park, regardless of the level of the car park. This is of course, made through statistics and different ways of measuring risk.