For centuries, men have and still hold the dominant role in society, which have allowed them to have the freedom to make choices and to behave in any manner they deemed acceptable. Because men have the power to control women, they have set limits on women’s choices and behaviors. By setting restrictions, it allows them to keep women suppressed and in their place. It is very unfortunate that even thou women have been emancipated for many, many years; they are still limited in their choices and behaviors, and men are not.
Given the fact that men have always had more freedom than women, and women’s liberation has allowed women to also enjoy some of the freedom men have been entailed to; women are still restricted in many areas such as education and in the workplace, even though it is not obvious, it does exist. For example, if a woman chooses to give birth, she is usually the responsible party in taking care of the baby, which may limit her ability to obtain a higher education. On the other hand, men don’t have that limit placed on them when obtaining a higher education. Also, if a woman chooses to enter the work force, she may be unaware that her pay may be restricted; for instance, a man and woman may be employed in the same position; unfortunately, her pay may be limited to her male adversary. I believe this is done because many companies still see men as being the bread winner of their families, and women are typically seen as the homemaker. Many companies are paying men more than women for the same position, and have been getting away with it until now. According to an article written by Emily Freidman of ABC NEWS/money, “Novartis a drug company lauded for being one of the best places to work for mothers has been found guilty of discriminating against female employees, paying them less than their male counterparts and denying them promotions.” Another well known company is Wal-Mart, whom is currently being suited for similar bias behaviors.
In addition to women having more restrictions in their choices, then men, they also have more limits placed on their behavior. I believe these boundaries are set to keep women in their place, and not to allow their behavior to get out of control. Once a woman has crossed the boundaries in her behavior, she is no longer considered a lady. In referring to the picture “keep within the compass,” the picture in the center is a depiction of a woman one may assume is consider a lady, and if one behave within her boundaries, she will have a prosperous life. The four pictures outside of the circle signify a difficult life a woman will have if she does not stay within her behavioral boundaries, so even though the picture represents a woman in the 18 or 19th century, women are still faced with restrictions placed on their behavior, and it still holds true that if a woman is to be considered a lady and wants to be treated as one; she must be restricted in her behavior. Typically, if a man goes beyond what is expected of his behavior, it is just blown off, and he is said to be behaving just a classic man; a few examples are, swearing, promiscuous sex, poor hygiene, scratching private parts in public, and picking his noise. If a woman did any of those things she would be looked upon in repugnance, and may even be treated as an outcast among other woman.
I really enjoyed reading your blog, although I may have to disagree with you on some parts.
ReplyDeleteI don’t believe men are ‘more free’ than women. I believe they all have almost the same amount of responsibilities, just under different circumstances (depending on what time period we are talking about.). Woman, yes, were more restricted than men, but men had just as many responsibilities. They had to go to work and make a living and provide for the entire family, not to mention make every decision thrust at them. That may not sound like a lot, but if people thought about working a 9-5 job all the time to pay off everything in the house because no one else could work, I’m sure men would wish they could do housework as well. Plus, I know I hate making decisions for every and anything that comes my way, and sometimes I wish I could have someone else choose. Maybe men had that feeling back then too.
I do agree with you though that those rules (back in the 19th century) were made to keep a woman in her place. Woman had very specific rules back then, and as you said, if they did not follow them they would be looked down upon. But times have changed since then, and the rules aren’t as strict.
I need to know if you're deleting my comments, or if they're not being posted. I write some lengthy ones and I get errors, but the comments "show up" when I refresh the page. I don't want you or others to think people [me in particular] are being unresponsive to your writing.
ReplyDeleteI'll make them shorter so I don't get the error anymore:
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“Women…are still limited in their choices and behaviors, and men are not.”
This is false. Masculinity standards for men are as high as ever, and there is sign of decrease in any rational amount of time.
“…she is usually the responsible party in taking care of the baby, which may limit her ability to obtain a higher education.”
Also false. If a working, single mother has a child a working, single father would have the same problems. If both mother and father are functioning as a unit together, and are both in school, the male could potentially have to quit school if the mother stops working to compensate for the money. Both units can always go back to school, the time line simply won’t be conducive to either or.
“Many companies are paying men more than women for the same position, and have been getting away with it until now.”
You can’t make a strong, and mighty accusatory statement and only give one and a half examples of this. Especially when in retrospect women will, on average, get paid a lot more than men depending on the job. Also, discrimination does not equal some sort of social sexism. In this case, it might, however, many minorities still suffer, and far more than women, with their job choice and educational capabilities. Socio-economically, in some places, minorities are purposefully set up to fail, and that has nothing to do with their sex. I feel you’re being far too critical of minor things in a much larger picture. Not to mention all the men that get turned down for a job because they’re a man.
ReplyDelete“Typically, if a man goes beyond what is expected of his behavior, it is just blown off, and he is said to be behaving just a classic man; a few examples are, swearing, promiscuous sex, poor hygiene, scratching private parts in public, and picking his noise”
Um… You just gave example of things that are expected of men. They’re not stepping out of their “restrictions,” they’re swimming in them. That’s why it’s “blown off” as “guys just being guys.”
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, while some women are still discriminated against, men always have been and still are persecuted for stepping out of their social roles. Male fathers are scoffed at, metro sexual men still catch giggles and “queer” jokes.
As a final thought, I’d like to add this: A few close males in my own life have suffered from discrimination. They’re polite, don’t make lewd comments about women, even amongst men, they dress well and are well dressed. You know what they get called? Gay.
Women have to work just as hard as men, and visa versa. While some instances are hard and unfair, like it can be for anyone [regardless of sex, age, and ethnicity] depending on the area, women generally have an equal opportunity in the working and intellectual world. Females can’t just roll over and snivel sexism every time it’s difficult.
Tina your insight always makes me smile. Yes men have always dominated but I think that women still ran the show …. Yes men do dominated and it’s because of what gender roles has enforced and instilled in our men and to be honest ladies who doesn’t like a man in control….and especially in the sheets …Yes I know I’m only twenty years old and I have no idea what I am talking about. But in a way I think women allow men to dominate they expect them to fix the cabinet and mow the lawn. Today my boyfriend and I were watching TEEN MOM and a spider was swinging from my ceiling fan and eventually fell to the ground I automatically yelled to my boyfriend “kill the spider” and he just looked at it and let it crawl away and I eventually built up the courage to kill the spider and I called him a jerk. I asked him why he didn’t kill the spider and he said why should he? I said because societal roles say that you are fearless and strong. And he responds so just because I didn’t kill the spider makes me less of a man I’m just as afraid of spiders as you………and I was speechless I caught myself in an assumption of what people do on a daily basis they judge and draw conclusions instead of looking at the individual.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with everything you say, especially the fact that men have always had it easier. And I also like those facts you presented of Emily Freidman of ABC NEWS/money. I really don’t see how women are still being discriminated against. I’m still a firm believer that women are slowly but sure taking over men. Now that women can be educated and independent, they can take action for any of their inequalities regarding men. Like you said that the companies that are still practicing inequality, are being sued, and most likely by women. The part of your blog that stood out to me the most was when you said “Typically, if a man goes beyond what is expected of his behavior, it is just blown off, and he is said to be behaving just a classic man; a few examples are, swearing, promiscuous sex, poor hygiene, scratching private parts in public, and picking his noise. If a woman did any of those things she would be looked upon in repugnance, and may even be treated as an outcast among other woman.” This is an exact explanation on how I defend women, when any sort of suppression to women occurs.
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