The United States Is moving down a list, and above us are now countries like the Philippines, France and Spain. We’re number 28, now. Sure, we can’t always be number one, but this list is different. See, this list is the gender equality list, and in a country that prides itself on equality, we’re all pretty shocked we’re not higher.
From the time of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth C. Stanton, American women have fought for equality. Wages, suffrage and warfare have been debated over and fought over. Protests have been held, arrests have been made and boycotts have ruined businesses for years all because of a simple idea that men and women are in fact equal.
Anatomically, men and women are different, but other than physical appearances, there is no real scientific difference between a man and a woman’s cognitive abilities. The pay gap is not an intellectuality or capability determination anymore. It’s based on the precedent of our country’s history toward women that we do not have equality in the workplace.
In the workplace, women are changing their appearances to gain promotions. Women are wearing fake glasses, heavier makeup, and a deeper neckline just to get the same pay as their male counterparts, and society is saying that’s OK. They’re also leaning away from female friendships in fear that they will give a bad impression to the men. How is that OK? It’s not really, but it’s coming into effect because of how we are raised. From as early as middle school, young girls are veering away from STEM subjects, and steering toward other topics. The need for women in STEM right now is very high because of this, but we aren’t really meeting the need, especially with the bias that has been created.
The other day, in one of my classes, a man stated that a woman couldn’t be successful as a math teacher (my field of study). His reasoning? Women care too much, and are too analytical. This led to a debate about equality in other fields, like the military and our local militia like the fire department or police force. Sure women care a lot; we have a maternal instinct. I’m not sure about whether or not one gender is more analytical than another, but I don’t think that should effect any female’s ability to teach. Also, from a military (or local militia) stand point there are different requirements for physical ability, the lesser being for women. How is that fair? Is it safe? If a woman cannot carry me out of a burning building but got the job because the standard is lower, Am I really in the right hands?
That being said, there are a lot of women who could meet the same requirements a man could. Many women can lift more, run faster and fight longer than any other man out there, but the bias is affecting our safety and our intellectual drive.
I don’t think women are better than men, but I don’t think men are better than women, either. I think that equality is the foundation of our country, and we aren’t making any strides in that department anymore. Whether it’s STEM, the military, or any other workforce, men and women should be equal. No one is really better than another, and no one deserves more opportunities.
