We have been following a certain order, a "rule of thumb" if you will, when it comes to being apart of this society. For a long, long time, men have been doing "their job", and women have been "doing theirs", and with these genders, comes expectations and what some would call responsibilities. It is "known" for men to be the head of the household, the breadwinners, the strong ones who have to do all of the hard work. For women, they are looked at as purely the maternal, motherly figures that are fragile and the weaker gender. I'm not saying that's how it is, or how it should be . . . I'm saying that it is the patriarchy. And it's been this way for ages. But you know what? It just doesn't work that way.

It's almost 2016, and this patriarchy thing is long overdue. We should be free to be who we want, and we shouldn't be judged or put into small boxes from the day we are born. There are no rules. Things are changing. It's time to smash the hell out of this patriarchy nonsense, and I'd like to do it with all of you. What do you think?

The thing is, men don't have to be seen as just "strong and manly" . . . it should be okay for them to be vulnerable and it shouldn't be a crime for them to be sensitive. And for a woman, it's okay if she doesn't want to have children or even get married. Just because she is a female, doesn't mean she has to abide by these so called "rules" to humanity. No gender - no person - should have to follow regulation of how they should act. Everyone has their own voice and deserves to express themselves the way that they want to. A man can cry. That doesn't mean he is weak. A woman can stay single forever, or be a working mother. That doesn't mean she is less "feminine" or is a terrible, heartless person. It doesn't make her manly. And even if she is - so what. And if he is perceptive and sensitive - so. what. The reason that it's so hard to break away from these silly rules and assumptions is because we've been abiding by them forever, but it's time for a new stance. We need to open up our eyes and take notice now more than ever that things aren't the same anymore - the world is a different place, and the distinction of that gets stronger and stronger everyday. If we hide behind these "labels" of what a certain gender should be, we'll only be hurting ourselves in the long run.

I feel like ever since the day we were born, we were put into this world where we had to do what was expected of our gender, and if we rebelled and marched to the beat of our own drum - we were downcast and looked at as "messed up", or that it was wrong that we weren't following these specific orders in our community. That's what truly makes me upset.

If a female is emotional or sad: "She's on her period". This is extremely offensive to women because her sensitivity has been linked with hormones, or her period - just because she is female. It's such a belligerent and ignorant comment, and even though women like to joke about it at times, it irritates them in the end. No, maybe we're not on our period. We might be genuinely upset. Did you ever think about that??? I've endured this before, and I feel like I'm a joke, and I can't be taken seriously. Just because women tend to be hormonal, does not mean she isn't capable of making decisions, or doing anything that a man can do. Oh, and if a woman swears, she is unladylike like or trashy. Women are over all meant to be seen as this "delicate flower" because their gender has been defined as the tender and motherly gender. C'mon . . . anyone can swear. In fact, I've met multiple intelligent, sweet and kind females who swore up a storm - and I'm one of them.

But men are definitely apart of this dumb patriarchy thing as well . . .

If a male is letting his own emotions out: "You're a (usually a derogatory work to describe how "weak" he is.)" Men have to put up this obligatory front to stay in this acceptance range, and it's really sad and unfair. Why shouldn't men be viable to what women are? There is nothing wrong with a man unleashing his moments. Sadly though, society, social media, and all of the above have brainwashed men over time that letting their emotions out is weak or "girly". The answer is: No. It's called being human. I'm assuming that there have been many instances where men haven't been able to do certain things in life that they've wanted to accomplish - their dreams, or their passions, all because society assumes that they're weaklings. If a man is huge in the drama department in high school, he is considered a "fruit", or other incredibly hurtful terms. It's messed up. There is nothing wrong with a man being involved with artistic things, but for some reason, it has been directed more towards a "female" sort of passion - which is crazy.

Men are TAUGHT to hide their feelings.
Women are TAUGHT to be lady-like.

But we are ALL human, and I think that humans of any gender or orientation is allowed to feel what they feel. They're allowed to be happy, sad, vulnerable, sensitive, angry, strong, brave, weak, independent, and every single emotion under the sun. Why should we be put under an expected category based on our gender? And it's like, if anyone goes against this, it's a crime - it's abnormal. When the world gives us expectations based on our genders, it can result in disappointment and anger - because that's not how it always goes. It's better to just realize that everyone is going to be different, and to accept that it's okay.

Men can do what women can do, and women can do what men can do. Boom. As long as everyone is happy and safe, isn't that the only thing that truly, ultimately matters?

There is one topic in particular that I can relate to. If a man is nice to a woman, listens to her, pursues her even, it's almost like she is obligated to go out with him when he asks her. A woman (and a man) are allowed to make their own decisions in the dating world, because their feelings are valid. In my own situation, I have come across multiple instances where a guy would be nice to me, and eventually ask me out. I would simply say "No", but would include that I was flattered. Sometimes it resulted in him getting upset and saying "But I was so nice to you", and would try to make me feel bad. And then, I'm made to look like the evil devil-woman because I didn't want to go out with him. But I'm allowed to say what I want, right? As long as it isn't hurtful. I shouldn't have to make someone else happy even though it's not what I want. What I want to say to them is "Just because you were kind to me, doesn't make me obligated to go on a date with you". Women and men alike, shouldn't be put under that kind of pressure. I know it can happen to any gender, but I've seen it happen to women a lot, and I have experienced that quite a bit myself.

1. Women don't have to wear make-up, shave their legs or abide by "what is beautiful" TO be beautiful. Just because she is a woman doesn't mean she has to do these things. Beauty comes in all different colors, and opinions. And she doesn't have to fix herself up to please the world, or look attractive for anyone but herself.

2. Women are allowed to swear. Swearing doesn't make them unappealing or trashy or a terrible person, nor does it make them unintelligent. Some people just really like to swear. In fact, my female adviser swears a lot - and she's an English professor, too. It's quite funny.

3. Men do not have to hide behind an armor to avoid releasing their emotions. There is no reason for it, and it's not fair for them. They have the same exact rights as anyone else to open up. Stop accusing sensitive men as "fruity" or any other terribly mean derogatory words. It's called being a human.

4. We have to stop assuming that men are the only gender that can harm. There are a lot of women out there who have abused men as well, and men shouldn't be the only involved gender for accused crime. Just because they're viewed as typically masculine and tough, does not mean they're going to attack someone. I've heard of many women who have hurt and abused men - or anyone for that matter. My point is, anyone can hurt ANYONE. Not just men.



So let's do this. Let's just put everything from the past into the trash and start anew. We're all human, and we all deserve equal rights. That's the only thing that truly matters in the end. I think if we really acknowledge that, and achieve that, the world will start to become a bit brighter.

LET'S SMASH THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF THIS PATRIARCHY!!!!!!