Sarah Osguthorpe

Wendy T. Crapo, M.S.

FHS 2400: Marriage & Family Relationships
November 4, 2017
GENDER EQUALITY
QUESTION
Does it seem to you like gender equality is a one-way street? When we talk about gender equality,
arent we usually talking about women becoming more like men? Why dont conversations about
gender equality also focus on mens ability to become more like women? Does our society believe
that women can really lead as well as a man? Does our society really believe that a man can be as
nurturing as a woman? What do you believe? The double standard of aging says that men become
more distinguished as they get older and that women dont. Assuming that you view this double
standard as being unfair, what can you do and what should our society do to remedy this lack of
equality?
______________________________________________________________________________
ANSWER
It does seem like gender equality is a one-way street in some ways because it seems like
women are always supposed to change and conform to men. Yes, we are usually talking about
women becoming more like men. I think the reason why in conversations about gender equality
dont focus on men to become a little more like women is because it seems like in this world, the
world is run by men. I dont think our society does think that women can lead as well as a man or
just as good because men have only been the leader for years and years and most are still today. I
also dont think that society really believes that men can be as nurturing as a woman because men
are supposed to be the strong guy not the nurturing role.
I believe that gender equality is a one-way street, but I think it has gotten a little better over
the years. I dont know exactly why it started out this way where men ruled over women in most
ways. I know now days it depends how you were raised because in some other peoples houses the
women rules more, but in my house my dad rules over my mom in most cases. Outside of the
house it seems like men rule over women as well now I dont know for sure if that is just because
my dad rules in my house, so I already have in my head that men rule over me. That could have
something to do about it, but I still think there is a problem about this situation outside of my
household as well.
Usually when talking about gender equality it is referring to women to become more like
men and usually never about men becoming more like a woman. The reason why I think this is
because I feel like in our society men dont need to change because they are already perfect, but
really everyone can improve in some areas that they are lacking. I mean if you think about it the
world would probably be a lot kinder to each other if men were a little gentler. I am not saying that
all men are harsh and abrasive, but a lot are and so little have a gentle side to them or at least they
dont show it to the public.
 I dont think that our society believes that a woman can lead as good as a man because she
is just a woman, right, she doesnt have leadership skills. But the truth is really it all depends on
the individual person because I have had two women managers so far and the first one was not a
good leader and did things that a manager probably shouldnt do, but my other manager was
awesome she helped you out when needed and was a great leader. She was even better than the
two male managers that I have now. Same thing for the men it really all depends on the person on
how he was raised, but I do think most people dont think that men can be nurturing like women.
Though I have six brothers and one of them is very nurturing and they were all raised by my parents
yet they are not all the same.
I had no idea that there was this double standard of aging, but to me I dont think it is fair
because eventually we will all get old and that doesnt mean women are any lesser than men. I
always treat my elders equally if youre a woman or a man. I think our society can help with this
situation in doing the same treating everyone equally. Just because you are male or female
doesnt mean that you are not as worthy than the other gender like this quote says; Although our
culture encourages us to look for differences and, when we find them, to exaggerate their degree
and significance, men and women are significantly more alike than we are different. We have
tended to ignore the most important fact about males and females: that we are both human.
(Strong & Cohen, 2014, p. 125)

References:
Strong, B, & Cohen, T. F. (2014). The marriage and family experience: Intimate relationships in a
changing society (13th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Word Count: 699