You would think in 2022 that we as a society would have figured out how to live and work as equals. Apparently not. There are still many issues within the world of gender equality, many of these issues are quite ignorant if you ask me. So, for a world so advanced in many other aspects, why is there still a fight for men and women to be treated the same?
Many people believe that equality is at its highest point, which yes, it’s true but there is still a long way to go.
For example, men are still being paid more for the same position and experience a woman has. Why? If a man and a woman have the same skill set and experience level, shouldn’t they be on the same salary? Well, the simple answer is yes. However according to statistics men are paid roughly 16.1% more than women annually. Of course, this varies between professions and companies, but in 2022 there should be a law stating equal pay between genders. I mean we have a law that states it’s illegal to put a stamp upside down on a letter so it shouldn’t be that hard to add that to the books.
Another aspect of this gender inequality is the difference between how men and women are treated within the workplace. Now this is a major issue, men seem to be more respected and kindly treated within many workplaces. It has often been reported by women that a man will be chosen above her for a promotion when they both have the same capability to take on the role, sometimes the woman is in fact more qualified, with the man still being the chosen one. As well as this, it’s harder for women to be taken seriously when applying
for a role. As in previous times women were considered to stay at home and take care of the house and family, many companies still have an issue with women doing both. Many reports being asked invasive questions and almost being interrogated over their life. Some of these questions would include: Do you have any children, if so, where are they when you’re working? Are you planning on having children any time soon? Are you married? How can we know you will be reliable? Now I myself have been asked different variations of these questions but every man in the same job that I have asked, they tell me they didn’t receive this kind of questioning. Isn’t a man responsible for his children and home too?
On the topic of families, the difference between how fathers and mothers are treated is concerning. A man is almost seen as not having a responsibility for his family. The number of times I’ve seen men being praised for doing the bare minimum for his family is laughable. I mean, shouldn’t you be doing that anyway seeing as you chose to have a family? A man is asked if he can babysit his children when in reality, he should be spending time with them. Women are expected to have the house put together, the children well dressed, fed and happy, dinner waiting on the table every night and now in our generation, have a career. And God forbid we don’t give our men enough attention. Something about this attitude needs to change.
Now don’t get me wrong, men don’t have it easy either. There is still a stigma around men that needs addressing too. The whole men must be the macho ‘I’m the breadwinner and protect the house’ act needs to be thrown out at this point. Men don’t always have to be strong, it’s ok for them to lean on someone for help. But society mainly says different. Men are still seen as the ones who must be tough, who always have to keep it together and never break. And when they do, they’re made a laughingstock worldwide. Let’s take Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith for example: Will had made an incredible reputation for himself, until Jada decided (for whatever reason) she wanted to start taking jabs at him very publicly. Instead of standing up for him and seeing the toxic mindset around men’s mental health, people decided to turn his breakdowns into a
meme for entertainment. Kanye West is another prime example of this toxic mindset around men getting help with their mental wellbeing. He is known for having severe mental health issues, but instead of helping him advocate for it or even getting him help, the media turned him into a joke. Then when these men (and many others like them) take drastic actions, society wonders why.
Lastly one of the biggest double standards around men and women is sexuality. Now women will be criticised and shamed for the exact same actions a man will take when it comes to looks or sexual activities. A woman with a ‘higher body count’ is shamed for this, being called names and publicly humiliated. A man does the same and worse and is praised for it. How is this fair? We all have a right to express ourselves in any way we want, with whomever we want (if we are of age). This also links into the side of sexual assault and crime in general. A woman must be considerably more careful when being out at certain times alone, and even has to go to extremes to even feel somewhat safe whereas a man doesn’t even have to think about it. It’s not fair that as women we feel unsafe to the point, we carry weapons ‘just in case’. A woman is almost twice as more likely to experience a form of harassment or sexual assault in her life than a man.
Although when a man does get assaulted it’s questioned. Why? It’s the same principle just a change in gender roles.
So, will these issues ever be controlled and equalised?
My theory is that it’s possible but it’s going to take A LOT more work and conversation. As well as open minds and maybe even a few laws made too. Let’s hope at some point in our lifetime we can see the true equality form between all genders.
Lauren is a content writer that is creating her own book and aspires to become a published author. While writing content, she also spends her time performing as an actress for different projects presented to her.
