Sexism is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as an unfair treatment of people because of their gender; especially : an unfair treatment of women. Hence, a sexist would be a guy who displays sexism; who believes certain roles are defined only for men, and some only for women.
Would it surprise you to know that some really well-learned individuals have been caught in this web too? A certain well-known and respected scholar once maintained that girls are incapable of succeeding in the Sciences, because they do not have the mental capacity for it!
But how false has this opinion been proven by feats from such women as Marie Curie, to Hedy Lamarr, to Olivia Hallisey (a girl, actually!), and spanning varying generations from the early 1900s to the 1950s to the 2010s. It is not their mental capacity that is in question, but the wrong view that some have. Even in your class, and interactions, you would find that some girls are really intelligent, and give other students a run for their money academically (and in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics too!!).
Much recently, some famous Hollywood actresses came out and spoke against the wage difference between actors and actresses. Jennifer Lawrence – who played Katniss in “Hunger Games” and Emma Watson – who played Hermione Granger in “Harry Potter” are two of these. The reason they gave was that movie producers and executives expected actresses to be well-behaved and not be too aggressive during negotiations, otherwise they are seen as spoilt and entitled, even though they have to put in the same amount of work as the men! (who are not called such names when they negotiate hard)
It appears they seem to be saying that such behaviour is expected of men, but not of women.
Another, are the roles that have been created, and expected that women should play. Such phrases like “A woman’s place is in the kitchen” is just one of such, and this may affect the quality of education that a girl gets, the highest position she can attain in the workplace, or the kind of jobs she gets. Further, some landlords will not rent an apartment to a single, working class lady except she brings male guarantors, while some women may be put under much pressure to get married against their will – either for respectability, or to save a family from financial ruin and poverty!
The list of such discrimination are really more than this, and I am certain you can count some more off your finger tips. The main thrust of the article is to ask if you see everyone as equals – irrespective of their sex -, or if you think men ought to be superior to women in all things.
Granted, men and women are different. Their roles may also be strictly defined according to cultural and religious beliefs; but as a learned person who is forming own opinions as he grows:
Shouldn’t an individual be judged on the content of his/her character, and on the basis of what he/she can do, rather than on the basis of their gender?
Wouldn’t that be holding firm to fairness and true justice?
What do you think?
