The 21st century has been characterized by the pursuit of women for equality. Sex and gender issues have been in the public domain for quite some time now. This generation has experienced more freedom compared to any other in the past with reference to the female gender. Therefore, sex and gender are issues that need to be addressed cautiously. Masculinity has been attached over the years to superiority and power while femininity is associated with weakness. Women have always been expected to take the second positions after men in all social classes. It is true there are women who are higher on the social ladder than other men are but that order is not practical. It is important to note that human beings are in different social positions and this has to be considered when looking at the position of a woman.
Even though a woman can achieve a higher position in the social ladder than some of her male counterparts, if she is compared with the males in her standard brackets, she is still in an inferior position. This notion is created in humans from a very young and tender age. For instance, a male child is taught that to be a man one must never show or let his emotions be displayed in public. Men believe they are superior to women and that women should listen to them and not the other way round. I believe the author is correct in asserting that the greatest losers in most cases after a divorce are women. This is true because of the societal beliefs that have been laid. For instance, men will go out and date as many women as they wish. The society will not have a problem with that at all.
However, when a female does the same, even the thought of it is formidable. Women are considered immoral and irresponsible when they get into multiple sexual relations while their male counterparts are seen as heroes for doing the same. These disparities constitute and propagate the looming imbalances in the society especially between the boy and the girl child. The author seems very concerned about the gender imbalances and stereotypes based on societal upbringing. The society has created a prism of differences that makes and defines individuals as well as mapping out their expected societal roles. Of course it is not true that men do not cry neither is it true that women are weaker than men are. It depends on which dimension the measure of strength is directed.
Taking for instance masculinity, men are more masculine than women are because genetically women are softer and gentle. However, looking at other dimensions such as brains and skills, it is deceiving and ill intended to propagate the notion that women are weaker than men are. The author is disturbed by the generalization of some attributes to a gender, which may not always be the truth. For instance, it is commonly known worldwide that women are gossipers. However, the truth of the matter is that whereas there are women who love gossiping, men too are affected by the same behavior. Men are also known to be strong and persevering. Display of emotions is a sign of weakness but the truth is, just like women, men get hurt, cry, and harbor emotions.
The relationship between men and women needs to be reviewed once again to have a homogenous approach of both genders. The author is trying to bring our attention into the oppressive environment that the female gender undergoes. In the professional arena, women are finding it very rough to cope or even work effectively. For a woman to be promoted to a better and higher rank, she has to pay the prize for it despite her qualifications. These cases have been reported and rumored about in almost every industry. Apparently, managers and head of departments will offer such favors for sexual relations while men will get the promotion based on their qualifications.
Getting ahead in their careers, women have to comprise a lot or go through under great pressure. Apart from sexual harassment, they work under harsh conditions where fellow colleagues despise them for the simple reason that they are women. Women are not offered a level competing ground with their male counterparts. Normally they undergo great harassment and some men led by their ego deliberately frustrate their efforts. These issues are at the heart of the author’s arguments that women have to fight twice as much as men in order to reach at a favorable standard of the social classes. Sex and gender issues are subjects of a broader audience since this, unlike racism, affect the entire world.
There are several instances where gender inequality has been seen to occur especially in the case of divorce. Women are the most affected parties of a divorce situation and this is evident throughout the entire world. Divorced women suffer financial loss greatly compared to their male counterparts. In addition, the stigmatization placed on divorced women is far much tormenting than in men. Primarily, it is quite difficult for a married and divorced woman to find another husband. Men are not attracted to women who have had a broken marital relationship or women who already have kids. Divorced women are discriminated against and the society puts the blame on them even if the man was responsible for the breaking up. It is true gender is organized and experienced differently depending on which side of it an individual stands on. Looking at gender in an approach that displays equality is fundamental because it helps one to analyze the disparities in the experiences of the two gender sides and be able to identify them.
There are differences between the two genders that influence their experiences but the difference is not necessarily a reflection of who is better. These differences are made to complete one another. Thinking of it as a football match, the fact that the goalkeeper is taller than the striker who scores do not necessarily mean that either of them is more important, equality should take a lead. The team works together to achieve a goal and a combination of a tall goalkeeper and a good striker guarantee the team a win. The same should be the case with gender differences. Masculinity should not be used to suppress members of the opposite gender but the two should work as a team and reach a level of equality that is acceptable and comfortable for all. This is the best way to approach sex and gender issues and offer solutions.