Do you think that girls and boys have equal opportunities and are treated alike? Reader Karolina has her doubts…
Karolina says:
Feminism… that's one of the words that comes into my mind when I think of equality and equal rights. Most people these days believe that both sexes have equal rights, but is this really the case? I believe it isn't! You are probably reading this and thinking, this girl is just fourteen, how does she know so much about a subject like this? Why does she have such strong feelings and arguments supporting it?
Well, from a very young age I could tell that something was wrong. Girls were and still are judged for their looks and the clothes they wear; boys were judged more on their abilities. As for the 'pink' and 'blue' colours to separate boys and girls… that's just wrong. If a girl dresses in clothes that a boy might choose, she's labelled a 'tomboy' and judged for it. If a boy wore a pink t-shirt, though, it would be OK - or would it? Perhaps he would be judged too… called gay, or told he was 'girly' as if being like a girl were a bad thing. Doesn't that seem sexist? And sexism is damaging to boys and men as well as girls and women. Want another example? If two people, a man and a woman, apply for the same job, the law states they should be paid the same. Yet over and over it turns out that women are paid less for doing the same as a male counterpart. Doesn't that seem unfair?
When people ask me, 'Are you a feminist?' I reply, 'Yes!' It may seem harsh in certain aspects, but I think the term is often misunderstood. It doesn't mean I am against men. It purely means that I want women and men to be able to hold hands and say, we are a family, we are the same, we are all equals. Don't be afraid to be a feminist like I am; it isn't a bad thing. It's just showing that you want the world to be a better place, that you want your children to have a brighter future knowing that they will not have to face the same problems you did.
Cathy says:
I think Karolina raises some important issues. We have come a long way since I was fourteen in trying to make things more equal for the sexes, and that's great, but sadly sexism is still alive and well and it affects girls and women everywhere. What do YOU think? COMMENT BELOW to have your say, or email me via the link on my website www.cathycassidy.com if you'd like to write a DREAMCATCHER post on the subject...
Karolina says:
Feminism… that's one of the words that comes into my mind when I think of equality and equal rights. Most people these days believe that both sexes have equal rights, but is this really the case? I believe it isn't! You are probably reading this and thinking, this girl is just fourteen, how does she know so much about a subject like this? Why does she have such strong feelings and arguments supporting it?
Well, from a very young age I could tell that something was wrong. Girls were and still are judged for their looks and the clothes they wear; boys were judged more on their abilities. As for the 'pink' and 'blue' colours to separate boys and girls… that's just wrong. If a girl dresses in clothes that a boy might choose, she's labelled a 'tomboy' and judged for it. If a boy wore a pink t-shirt, though, it would be OK - or would it? Perhaps he would be judged too… called gay, or told he was 'girly' as if being like a girl were a bad thing. Doesn't that seem sexist? And sexism is damaging to boys and men as well as girls and women. Want another example? If two people, a man and a woman, apply for the same job, the law states they should be paid the same. Yet over and over it turns out that women are paid less for doing the same as a male counterpart. Doesn't that seem unfair?
When people ask me, 'Are you a feminist?' I reply, 'Yes!' It may seem harsh in certain aspects, but I think the term is often misunderstood. It doesn't mean I am against men. It purely means that I want women and men to be able to hold hands and say, we are a family, we are the same, we are all equals. Don't be afraid to be a feminist like I am; it isn't a bad thing. It's just showing that you want the world to be a better place, that you want your children to have a brighter future knowing that they will not have to face the same problems you did.
Cathy says:
I think Karolina raises some important issues. We have come a long way since I was fourteen in trying to make things more equal for the sexes, and that's great, but sadly sexism is still alive and well and it affects girls and women everywhere. What do YOU think? COMMENT BELOW to have your say, or email me via the link on my website www.cathycassidy.com if you'd like to write a DREAMCATCHER post on the subject...
I think all these points are all true, but I feel that although us girls are often judged by our clothing, boys almost have less freedom in this area. Pink has been labelled as a "girls'" colour while blue has been labelled as a "boys'" colour, and if a boy wears pink, especially at a younger age, people will comment on this, while a girl can wear any colour and nobody bats an eyelid. It is also generally seen as "more socially acceptable" for girls to wear trousers than for boys to wear skirts or dresses.
ReplyDeleteI do agree, though, that generally it is girls who are the worse off, but it isn't always the case. I also agree that the term "feminist" is often misunderstood - hurray for Emma Watson! :)
Great advice from Karolina! I agree with everything completely!
ReplyDeleteThnx U so much Karolina! I think people around the world need to understand what feminism really is, it is not men hating, it is wanting both genders to have equal rights. I for one am proud to say I'm a feminist:). I feel like sexism is sometimes not taken as seriously as things like racism or being homophobic.Together we can make a difference :). Hamdi:)xxx
ReplyDeletea good few boys I know are always acting sexist and saying sexist things... they don't realise how serious it actually is. they really need a wake up call!
ReplyDelete