This entire semester I seem to have been wishing on stars. Wishing that my mistakes will not be contributed to my race, wishing that people would start caring about others, wishing that inequality would some how disappear, wishing that discrimination no longer existed, wishing that people would see that I'm here based on merits not a top ten percent rule, and now I have to delve into sexism?
I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation in class in which we discussed why men aren't taking on "female roles" and "female jobs". It's about time that it was brought up that the decision to not partake in "women's work" is based on salary, not the description or nature of the job. I may be wrong, but this is an opinion piece. In many ways I feel as though women along with societal pressures are somewhat to blame for men not taking on these roles. I know plenty of women that would not date a man that was a secretary, a child care worker, or an elementary school teacher, simply because of it's consideration as a "woman's job" and it's not considered manly enough. They feel as though he's not masculine enough, or couldn't provide for his family if he's doing "woman's work". Well, if a man knows that he's not going to be able to have a relationship or date as he pleases then why would he continue in that field. It's the same as when men are stay at home dads they constantly get haggled about not having a job, but when a woman does it then she's superwoman.
We live in a world full of double standards, and it's going to take people like us to overcome it. Society formulates what is normal and abnormal for a man and a woman to do, and we go along with it. I found this commercial that I just thought, WOW, is this really the standard that I place on men, unconsciously?
Now back to the women for a second....
I recently viewed this commercial and I wasn't offended, but I was constantly reminded of how women are perceived by some men. This idea that we can't fix a drain without a man, or that we're going to lust after the handyman is outrageous.It seems to that women are simply supposed to be sexual, no intelligence, no will power, no goals, just a sexual being put here for men. I'm sure most of you have seen it, but just in case you haven't..here goes.
Symone,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your comments on men in areas of the labor market that are generally dominated by women and I have to say; I am definitely guilty here. My boyfriend is studying psychology, and I have actually told him before that that is a "mrs. degree" and he needs to do something that will make enough money to support a family. Isn't that awful? You are right, men suffer from sexism also, and I have been part of it! I think it's important to recognize though that these areas of "women's work" are devalued in society to the point that it is difficult to make a good living in these positions. I think this is because most of the time it is assumed that the woman has a man who is making the "real money" somewhere behind the scenes. What do we do about this? I think realizing that looking at the world through such a binary is dangerous and limiting to people is probably most important. I know I'll be changing how I think and talk about men in the workplace.
Thanks.
Symone,
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel you when it comes to the double standards. I understand that men have them too but I feel like women have a double standard in every single area of life! What we wear, who we date, the job we do, or the things we say. No matter what we do I feel like we become a target.
I also really enjoyed your comments about the fact that men don't take women's jobs because of the salary. It is so true. Why get paid $80 when you could make $100?