My mom and dad would describe me as passionately curious. This passionate curiosity would lead my family and friends to describe me as being passionate about justice and equality. While most teenagers can sit idly by upon hearing about world issues, often times I find myself being deeply affected by them. It’s not unusual for me to spend copious amounts of time worrying about these problems and trying to muddle through solutions for them, if for nothing else, my peace of mind.
One of the issues that has become popular amongst millennials is one that separates most generations in opinion: feminism. This is a word that in some individuals inspires an attitude of change and excitement, while in others an attitude of resentment, and upon deeper look, perhaps one of ignorance. My mother raised me as woman who knew her purpose, who knew the change she could influence, and who would not settle for anything less. Feminism has a negative connotation in some communities, when in actuality it means (according to Merriam Webster): “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities." When girls my age reject this idea it simply baffles me; how can a girl not support the equality of both sexes; a fight for a problem that will one day affect her personal life and work no matter if she addresses it as an issue? The wage gap and treatment of women in the workplace is a real problem, one that women and men alike choose to ignore. The average woman in 2014 still earned 21% less than that of her male counterpart. I have a job and work with all women, but I have faced sexist injustice in my everyday life. One of the most common issues that personally affects me is the dress code my high school enforces. Girls are shamed on a daily basis for showing their legs and shoulders, being fed the hoax that we are somehow responsible for keeping boys’ thoughts in check. Even more appalling are the frequent interactions I have with boys who believe a woman’s only job is to clean and cook and serve him. A stay-at-home mom is a job in itself, but a woman is not defined by or required to serve in this role. This social issue has inspired me to study the problem of gender inequality in a variety of platforms, from social media to TV shows encouraging the idea of equality. I was raised in a conservative Christian family and am a Christian myself, so as I study this issue more and more, I have struggled with what the traditional church sometimes encourages in comparison to what I have come to believe is just. My parents strongly support my own personal opinions, but at the same time urge me to look at all sides. When sharing my views, as a Christian I must still do it in a respectful and caring manner. My dad, in particular, is quick to remind me to be certain my information source is valid and that I have thoroughly studied something before attempting to argue it. Despite my inability to have a large influence in the world, I do have one among my peers in my city.
Throughout my day to day life I use my voice, one that my friends would describe as a loud one, to inform and encourage people to examine more closely the issues of empowerment and equality; in hopes of bringing about a more positive attitude towards feminism.
