Your heels clicking on the sidewalk, your dress flowing in the wind. Someone is walking behind you laughing and taking pictures. It’s a man. He either wants something or he’s judging you for showing too much skin. Next time you go out, you’re wearing sweats. You’re too covered. Should women really have to change their appearance for the men around them?
Men and women are expected to follow traditional gender roles. The definition of gender roles according to Oxford Languages is “the role or behavior considered to be appropriate to a particular gender as determined by prevailing cultural norms.” But what behaviors are considered appropriate to a particular gender, why do people expect so much of others when they themselves can’t give back the same, and why aren’t the expectations equal?
Feminists- There are many phrases that belittle, degrade, and dehumanize women, “She’s asking for it dressed like that!” Women don’t owe anyone anything. They can dress how they want to dress and they can do what they want to do. “She was just talking to that guy yesterday and now she’s with another one, she’s a slut!” People say this about women (including other women) all the time. But they never say anything when a man actually commits these acts (sex) with various women. In fact, it’s encouraged. Continuing, men were previously allowed to cheat on their wives. Men needed “variety” and “have needs” but women were not allowed to even look at or speak to other men. Not saying cheating is good on both parts, but at least make it fair. Society would blame women when their significant other would cheat, saying “You didn’t do enough.”
Submissive- Women want to work and be independent saying they don’t need a man but is that what every woman wants? Do they want to wake up every day to make money, or could there be a possibility that they want to stay home and take care of it? Maybe they want to have a few kids and let their husbands take care of everything else. Is it wrong for them to want to depend on a man? What about a guy, is it wrong for him to want him to provide for his family and expect his wife to be at home making sure everything is taken care of? Is it?
Expectations- A strong and self-reliant man. That’s what is expected of them. They should be in control of their lives, not showing any vulnerability. Being able to provide for a family. If their wife cheats and he wants a divorce well there goes his 401k and 33% of his income. What about the kids? He loves them and would do anything for them so what? If the mother can provide for them even just a little bit he might as well say goodbye because there is a 10% chance that he’ll get custody. Now he’s alone with no one by his side, but yet he is still expected to be strong and self-reliant.
Equal rights, that’s what people claim they want. A submissive woman is what they say they desire. A strong and supporting man is what they say will make them happy. But why are they trying to force their beliefs on others? There are over 7 billion people in this world. There are bound to be thousands of other people who share your views that you can associate with, and build long-lasting relationships so why the pressure?
Men want a woman who can be a kind and loving wife as well as a mother. They expect the women to take on all of the responsibilities of caring for the children. They are expected to drop everything education, job, dreams whatever it is, and take care of the home, while the man makes money and pays the bills. It’s not right.
