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There’s something that’s been nagging at the back of my brain with increasing persistence lately. I’ve been reluctant to blog about it in fear of being misunderstood, but I think I’m finally ready and able to articulate my feelings on the subject.
The subject? The equality of men and women. More and more I’m hearing women say that they should be held to the exact same morals and standards as men – no more and no less. ” Men get to sleep around without being called sluts, why can’t women?” ”Men work all day, leaving the care of their children to other people, why can’t women do the same without being looked down upon?” Etc. etc.
Now, I’m all about the equality of the sexes. I’m all for equality, period. And I’m certainly not saying that I disagree with the general point these women are trying to make. But I can’t help but wonder if somehow, somewhere, people got the word “equal” confused with “identical”. When two things are equal, they are of the same value/worth. But they are not necessarily exactly the same. For example, (5+5) and (12 – 2) both equal 10, but they arrived at the same value in different ways, with different numbers.
Why can’t child-rearing be just as valuable as earning money? Why can’t being choosey about whom one sleeps with be of equal value to (at the very least) promiscuity? Why are so many young women determined to eschew traditional female values that were traditionally considered feminine in favor of more “masculine” behaviors and attitudes?
A woman doesn’t have to act just like a man does in order to be valued as much as one. That’s not to knock women with more so-called “masculine” traits. I just want to point out that being equal does not require one to inherit the exact same traits and characterstics of another.
What’s so bad about men and women being different?
I believe that men and women are supposed to be different. I believe that we were meant complement each other by bringing our different strengths, values and reasoning to the together to create a whole, accurate perspective on everything in life. If men and women were exactly the same, would we still really need each other? And why exactly would a woman want to be just like a man, anyways? If all women acted like men, WHO would be left to be the voices of reason? (heh heh, I love you boys 
)
I would love to hear your opinions on this subject. Do you think there should be no differences between the sexes mentally and emotionally? Should women behave just like men?
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For some reason this reminded me of "My Fair Lady". LOL
On certain levels, yes. In society, in the workplace, sure.
Emotionally? Not so much. If we were the same, how would we balance each other? How would we learn and grow, and better understand one another?
I say celebrate the differences. Sameness bores me. ;o)
Oh I agree about in the workplace. There should be little differences there, unless we are talking about heavy physical labor.
I think women are equal but most men want to be over every thing
I love being a woman. LOVE IT. I don't want to be a man, don't want to emulate a man. However, I've found it necessary to do "man shit" in order to survive in this life, that is, as it pertains to "traditional" male "roles". Being the head of my household warrants that.
And even though I'm a tomboy at heart, I do consider myself old school when it comes to many of the behaviors you've mentioned.
SirMacGee – I personally am more than willing and able to run things. But if my man wants to be the head of the household, AND he is capable of doing it well without his respect for me diminishing – I'd have no problem letting him.
Hey Choc, I agree with you 100%. I think that it is necessary for both men and women to survive in this real to learn some of the skills/tasks of the opposite gender, as far as "traditional roles" go. I am more than all for a woman being educated and skilled and for men being able to cook and clean. No doubt about that.
And I too am a tomboy at heart in many ways. I used to fight boys and climb trees and jump out and skin my knees … while wearing yellow or pink frilly dresses.
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