Gender Inequality Throughout History
Throughout history, women have encountered intense discrimination, including lack of legal rights and very little independence from their families. In many societies, women are seen as less capable than men. The concept of ‘gender equality’ is fairly new and until the late nineteenth century, women were treated as the lower sex and were excluded from many aspects of life. In more extensive society, the development towards sex equity started with the suffrage development in Western societies in the late-nineteenth century, which tried to enable ladies to vote and hold elected office positions. In India, there are still many people who believe women are less than men and are not capable of doing what men do. A few months ago, I read a article by CNN which stated “Couples' tendency to keep trying until a boy is born has led to the birth of as many as 21 million girls who are notionally... unwanted in India.”
After reading this article, I was shocked and sickened. How can people disown their children just because they want a boy? The world needs to understand women are equally capable as men. I am one of the three children in my family, and the only girl. My parents are from India. Growing up, I’ve always been respected and treated fairly. However, I have noticed my parents giving my brothers more freedom than myself. Such as allowing them to stay out late at night with friends, while I have a curfew and must be home by 10pm. Personally, I know my parents do what they do because they're worried and scared for me. But, why are my brothers allowed to stay out late at night? How am I any different than them? Similarly, the Indian mind-set expects men to study hard, find a well paid job and be the backbone of the family. Many times, anger rages out of me because I’m restricted from doing what my brothers do. Gender roles establish the behaviour that is expected of a male or female in a specific culture or society. Gender roles are not given at birth, they are learned and taught based on the surroundings of the child at an early age, and the society and culture the child grows up in. Gender roles are mainly obtained by those who have raised them. The family has the biggest impact on how the child perceives their gender.. This is because every family has its own values and passes on values and beliefs at an early age.
As a child, I was brought up with the idea boys are strong, aggressive, and the leaders; whereas, girls are soft, passive, and the emotional. My mom, made it clear girls should be playing with dolls as I was gifted a doll for every birthday. According to the Indian culture, women are expected to help do the chores in the house. In my house, I help my mom with cleaning and cooking most of the times. However, my brothers are never asked to do any chores in the house. I think it's important to get them to help around in the house because by doing all the work for them they are spoiling them. The men are treated as if they are kings. The Indian tradition and culture can explain the low status of women in society. Thankfully, my parents do not have the typical Indian mindset. However, there is still a small amount of inequality because they spent most of their life in India. I know its hard for them to completely ignore all their traditions and beliefs but I think my parents have done quite a good job in giving me all that I've wanted. My family is quite big and there are people coming from back home quite often. Sometimes, it becomes hard for me to go out with friends and do things which I do on a regular basis because I would be judged as I’m a girl. Although my parents do not have a problem with me doing so, I am restricted because of what others will think.
Gender inequality is like a unbalanced scale. Its a scale which will never be balanced because of all the stereotypes and traditional beliefs. I have learned to ignore what others think and to do what makes me happy. Although I can’t disobey my parents, I've decided to peacefully obey their rules. I am thankful for my parents and everything they do for me. But, deep down I know I am treated unfairly. I know that one day I will be granted the freedom and I will prove to my parents I am just as capable as my brothers.
