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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 that’s

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 we’ve 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 we’ve

faced, how gender inequality has been addressed and what I’ve 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 it’s 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 I’m a feminist, I don’t feel women

should be higher than men, If that did happen isn’t that just the opposite form of what we’re
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fighting against? Even in 2016 I’ve 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 I’ve 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 can’t tell you how many times

I’ve heard a joke of “A woman’s 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 they’re supposed to play and how

they’re supposed to act. Part of inequality starts with how the next generation is raised, teaching

them it’s 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 aren’t being a good role model for girls all over the world.

Though we’ve had a lot of negative things rooting against equality amongst genders,

we’ve 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 society’s rules and said I’m going to do what I want to do and I’m

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 today’s 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 I’ve learned that there are a lot of problems still with gender

equality. Understanding how to address the problem wasn’t always made clear, but I’ve

understood just reading from my classmates post that it all starts with people’s attitudes toward

the other gender. If one gender didn’t feel that they’re better than the other then it wouldn’t be

such a fight to resolve this matter. That’s why I enjoyed these readings, it’s 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 society’s 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 couldn’t do anything. A lot of

these readings have all made a point that society’s 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 don’t think gender inequality is happening in every work place,

so it’s 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 couldn’t

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. I’ve always treated

my peers with respect and I’ve never let any gender tell me I couldn’t 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 I’m 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 they’re not as good as the males. But, I’m here to say that is something that should

never happen in any society. Every person should view each other equally, why can’t 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 it’s 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 society’s 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 we’re 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)