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Opinion

Gender roles should be more malleable

Ariner Graham
Opinion Columnist

I went to a comedy show the other night where the comedian talked a bit about women and equality. He talked about how women want to be independent and do their own thing, but when it is convenient for them, they play the "female card." 

He gave an example of how, even though his girlfriend was independent and strong willed, she asks him to go investigate strange noises heard downstairs because he is the "strong" one. I do not see the problem with this; to me, the fight for equality has never been only about being on the same level as a man, but about receiving the same level of respect.

There are several situations in which men and women have completely different attitudes toward their roles, even when they are doing the same things. For instance, when a man is older and single, he is considered a bachelor, but a woman in the same situation is considered a spinster.

In the work place, guys can be headstrong, career driven and in leadership positions that give them the right to act in ways some employees may not agree with. A woman in the same position is seen as what is otherwise known in the dictionary as a female dog.

In the home, the man is traditionally seen as the moneymaker and the female as the caretaker. It is not this way so much anymore because many women choose to work. In single-parenting situations, women are both caretakers and moneymakers. I once participated in a discussion in which the question was, "If a woman goes to work and the man stays home, would that be OK?" I think it would be just fine if the male played the role of caretaker by cleaning, cooking dinner, taking care of the kids and doing laundry. But I have seen this situation before, and the woman usually ends up as moneymaker and caretaker, which is in no way fair.

If a man has many sexual partners, he is seen as a player or a "pimp," but a woman would be seen as a garden tool. The reason things are like this is because of gender roles. We have this identity based upon our sex given to us when we are born. Women are supposed to dress and act a certain way, and men are supposed to dress and act a certain way.

If a woman wants to be equal, she still has every right to play the "female" card. Just because she wants the same respect a man gets does not mean she wants to be exactly the same as a man.

Gender roles are just another label society has placed on us; we do not have to abide by them. We should be able to choose how we act, the way we dress and the path to take in our lives.

Graham, an opinion columnist for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached at vatasha27@sbcglobal.net.