Starkweather 1

Alexa Starkweather
Professor Stephanie Maenhardt
ENGL 1050
July 31, 2016
Essay 2: Reflection on Gender

What does Gender equality truly mean? I remember growing up having my mother say
you can do anything a man can do. Being very tomboyish as a child I slowly figured out thats
not always the case. I was limited to certain activities, but never for a second in my mind did I
feel that woman should be treated less equal than men. History has showed that women have
been treated differently throughout several decades. Fighting for our equal stance weve formed
rallies, protests, educational lectures and many other forms of communication. In no way do I
believe a women and males can be 100% equal in every aspect of life, but when it comes to
important issues like careers, job pay, media representation and image, women should have
100% equality. Throughout this reflection I will go over what kind of gender inequality weve
faced, how gender inequality has been addressed and what Ive learned from many authors
readings on this pressing issue. This is a simple problem that can be fixed, but has yet to be due
to so many obstacles in its way.
Women have always struggled with inequality in our society, whether its pay, image or
career paths. Genders have struggled with wielding into one fair playing field, causing much
action to be taken. Being a woman myself I would not say Im a feminist, I dont feel women
should be higher than men, If that did happen isnt that just the opposite form of what were

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fighting against? Even in 2016 Ive personally experienced inequality among my work place or
daily life. One good example is how women are viewed in the workplace. There have been times
where Ive had a manger who has treated male coworkers better than females. Stuff like this is so
easily fixed, but yet our generation struggles so much with it. I cant tell you how many times
Ive heard a joke of A womans place is in the kitchen. Starting from childhood girls are being
taught what a girl toy is and what a boy toy is. Or what sport theyre supposed to play and how
theyre supposed to act. Part of inequality starts with how the next generation is raised, teaching
them its okay to be girly, but yet strong at the same time is how girls should be raised. We
currently have planted in young kids minds that girls must act completely different from boys.
Women are displayed in media in negative ways, women are being trapped by a glass ceiling in
the work place and famous people arent being a good role model for girls all over the world.
Though weve had a lot of negative things rooting against equality amongst genders,
weve also found many ways this issue is being addressed. One of my favorite readings was from
the Women Boxers: The New Warriors, it showed me how women overcame inequality in the
sport of boxing. A lot of these women have the mentality of a malcriada, definition of that term
is, a woman who will not behave and is determined to do what she wants, regardless off society
rules or even good sense dictates. (211) These women who boxed, though it was deemed as a
Mans Sport stood up against societys rules and said Im going to do what I want to do and Im
going to make it. These women helped paint the path for young women all over the world who
were too afraid to stand up because of what society says. Of course it was an uphill battle,
women were slowly breaking the social norm which allowed people to understand that women
were not stuck in one role.

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Social Media was also a huge tool with shaping gender image in todays society. One of
my classmates Rose Young in week 5 discussion also identified how technology and advertising
was one of the main reasons on why are generation is so easily influenced. Advertising,
billboards, social media all exploit women to a sense of where sex sells and to be successful you
need to be beautiful. Just like our reading on Visual Essay: Reading the Gaze it talked about
how advertising uses men and women differently. Women are usually used for sex appeal to pull
in the target consumer. Though I will admit now a days you to see a lot more media encouraging
women to be strong and never to back down in the world. I think our society has made more of
an effort not to stick children in gender roles and allow them to grow into their own person.
Women are encouraged to join the military, become lawyers, doctors and climb higher in the
workforce field. Regulations have been made to stop glass ceilings from occurring and from
workplaces under paying someone due to their gender. No gender deserves to be treated less than
the other.
From all the readings Ive learned that there are a lot of problems still with gender
equality. Understanding how to address the problem wasnt always made clear, but Ive
understood just reading from my classmates post that it all starts with peoples attitudes toward
the other gender. If one gender didnt feel that theyre better than the other then it wouldnt be
such a fight to resolve this matter. Thats why I enjoyed these readings, its great to see the
authors writing techniques are non-attack like and more informational as well as inspiring. When
reading most of these stories I felt I was pulled in to an issue emotionally, almost unhappy that
this is still happening in such an advanced day and age. All readings almost melded together in a
sense, they clearly all had one pressing issue. How inequality is currently happening and how
over the years things are being altered due to the societys view point. I mean perfect example in

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The Veil reading Satarpi talks about how her country segregated women and laughed at them
when they tried to become successful. Though she was restricted by her surrounding she had
parents who never let her feel that because she was a woman she couldnt do anything. A lot of
these readings have all made a point that societys views are really what caused these problems.
These discussions and readings in class have really allowed me to think more critically
instead of emotionally. In truth I dont think gender inequality is happening in every work place,
so its not fair to say every company has done this. Every person deserves to be on an equal
playing field and these discussion have really helped me to be able to see how everyone views
this type of diversity issue. A lot of stories and visual aids used today either support gender
inequality or fight against gender inequality. Many authors that write about gender inequality
generally use a ton of logos and pathos to be able to draw their viewer in with factually
statements and makes them emotionally upset about the issue at the same time. Visual
advertisements encouraging woman to be strong are now present and they help reach our
generation who revolves around technology as well as different types of communication amongst
groups to help educate different groups about this issue. Growing up I was never told I couldnt
do something because I was a girl, I was taught to be strong, I grew up with a mom who was in
the military and I never once saw her back down from something due to her gender. I learned I
could play four square at recess and if I wanted I could go play kickball too. Ive always treated
my peers with respect and Ive never let any gender tell me I couldnt do something. I believe
every child should grow up no matter what gender they are knowing they can do anything they
want in life. A little girl should never grow up with the mentality of I just want to be a stay at
home mom with no education and let my husband take care of me. I believe a woman should
always be striving for greatness, there is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to be a stay at

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home mom, it becomes a problem when they create an image of Im not a strong person and I
must depend on a man. I see my mother as a care taker, a business woman, a veteran and a
person of dedication to all things she puts her mind too. I know there are cultures that make
women feel theyre not as good as the males. But, Im here to say that is something that should
never happen in any society. Every person should view each other equally, why cant we all treat
each other with respect and fairness?
In conclusion, gender inequality is still present in our society. Though steps are being
taken to help this problem, in order for it to truly change, us as a culture should stop teaching our
younger generation that its okay to treat the other gender less. That goes for females and males
of any age, race or religion. Articles, protests and educational awareness can only change so
much, without the change of societys views then the problem will always be there. Everyone
should do their part when they have children to help them understand appearance may be
different, but were all the same on the inside. Treating each gender with respect and equality
will bring nothing but positive outcomes.

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Work Cited:

Discussion Week 5: Visual Genres and Gender

Satrapi, Marjane. The Veil. George, Diana and Trimbur, John. Reading Culture.

2012. (361-368)
Montoya, Delilah. : Woman Boxers: The new Warriors. George, Diana and

Trimbur, John. Reading Culture. 2012. (211-213)

Visual Essay. Reading the Gaze: Gender Roles in Advertising. George, Diana

and Trimbur, John. Reading Culture. 2012. (211-213)

All reading information was bulled from: George, Diana and Trimbur, John.
Reading Culture. 2012. (211-213)