2008 Woodie Awards
Gender Bender
Do the Sexes Respect One Another?
Issue date: 4/3/06 Section: Opinion
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Male Perspective
I feel as if today's generation of men do respect women; as for past generations this might not have been true, but that is how they were brought up. I was brought up to respect women. I think women are just as capable as men, even though today's society does not always reflect that. In today's world I know women that make more money than some men and their choices are much more respected as well. Although, I think it is human nature to be mildly biased toward one's gender, remembering back to the days when girls had cooties, but I do not think that really has much to do with respecting the other gender. I feel that the main problem is that some people are too extreme about things and become offended too easily. They jump to conclusions about something and just want to hear themselves talk. Some people feel that they are not respected because of who they are and/or what they look like. I have found that most of the time people are not respected because of what they do and how they conduct themselves as a person.
Female Perspective
It is my belief that the sexes can never be fully equal. For too many centuries women have been inferior to men, and only in the last one hundred years or so have women started to gain equality. A woman's role used to be clearly defined: she found a husband, had children, and devoted her entire life to raising those children. Today, women are expected to do the same, but add on a successful career. Many people do not consider being a mother a "job" simply because she does not receive a paycheck for her work. I do not believe women are respected as much as they deserve to be.
A woman's job today is even harder than ever. Women are judged for their actions throughout their life, and they are constantly judged just for being female. For example, when a woman is promiscuous she is labeled a "slut," but when a man is promiscuous no one seems to care. Also, if a woman holds a high position in a company, she will constantly be judged for her decisions and those who doubt her will blame her imperfections on the fact that she is female. If she demands respect from her peers, they will judge her as being too forward or as being a feminist. At the same time, if a man demands respect he will probably get it and then become successful.
I think part of the problem with the inequality of men and women can be blamed on older gener-ations. This generation of people have been raised to think of men and women more equally, so I think very soon in the future more women will hold high level jobs and they will be respected more by men, but for now women are not respected as much as they should be.
I feel as if today's generation of men do respect women; as for past generations this might not have been true, but that is how they were brought up. I was brought up to respect women. I think women are just as capable as men, even though today's society does not always reflect that. In today's world I know women that make more money than some men and their choices are much more respected as well. Although, I think it is human nature to be mildly biased toward one's gender, remembering back to the days when girls had cooties, but I do not think that really has much to do with respecting the other gender. I feel that the main problem is that some people are too extreme about things and become offended too easily. They jump to conclusions about something and just want to hear themselves talk. Some people feel that they are not respected because of who they are and/or what they look like. I have found that most of the time people are not respected because of what they do and how they conduct themselves as a person.
Female Perspective
It is my belief that the sexes can never be fully equal. For too many centuries women have been inferior to men, and only in the last one hundred years or so have women started to gain equality. A woman's role used to be clearly defined: she found a husband, had children, and devoted her entire life to raising those children. Today, women are expected to do the same, but add on a successful career. Many people do not consider being a mother a "job" simply because she does not receive a paycheck for her work. I do not believe women are respected as much as they deserve to be.
A woman's job today is even harder than ever. Women are judged for their actions throughout their life, and they are constantly judged just for being female. For example, when a woman is promiscuous she is labeled a "slut," but when a man is promiscuous no one seems to care. Also, if a woman holds a high position in a company, she will constantly be judged for her decisions and those who doubt her will blame her imperfections on the fact that she is female. If she demands respect from her peers, they will judge her as being too forward or as being a feminist. At the same time, if a man demands respect he will probably get it and then become successful.
I think part of the problem with the inequality of men and women can be blamed on older gener-ations. This generation of people have been raised to think of men and women more equally, so I think very soon in the future more women will hold high level jobs and they will be respected more by men, but for now women are not respected as much as they should be.