The idea of feminism is viewed at as a subject no one wants to talk about, but I think it's important. I'm not preaching about how women are better than men, because that's not what feminism is about. I'm talking about why we don't view each other as equals, especially in different subjects. There are certain things where men are looked at as feminine because society makes it appear "girly." This isn't about how society needs to make everything equal for just women, but men also.
Rape. This is a touchy subject, but it's important. I'm not talking about how we must justify rape with how they appear, but the fact that we don't include men in the numbers. Women get raped, it's obvious and we know that. But men do as well. I'm tired of hearing this crap saying that "men don't get raped. He should be glad he's getting laid." No, that needs to stop. Men do get raped from both men and women. Statistically, about 3 percent of American males, or 1 in 33 are raped. One out of every ten rape victims are male. It happens, and instead of focusing on the problem and trying to fix it, we humiliate the man and strip away his manhood by saying he should be proud of the sexual intercourse. It's wrong, and it's backwards to do that to a human being. Men have emotions as well, and endure the same pain from rape as women. It's not right to neglect them. We need to move forward and accept the fact that men need the focus as well.
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Sports is where many people feel the need to point out someone's sexuality. I can't tell you how many times people thought I was a lesbian because I played softball and wrestling. I'm not, I remember watching "Love and Basketball" and Monica points out to her mother that she's a lesbian because she plays basketball. She's obviously not and is sarcastic about the remark, but a sporty woman shouldn't be viewed as a lesbian because she enjoys sports. Is it because these sports are men sports? It's the same for men. What makes men who want to cheer, dance, volleyball, or participate in gymnastics that make us define them as gay? Is it because society views those sports as a woman's sport? This needs to stop. If a man wants to dance or a woman wants to fight, let them. They enjoy the sport because of the actual sport and not because it's the reason for their sexuality.
The role of the household is also such a weird thing to talk about. Sometimes women make more money than their male partner, and that's okay. We are still stuck on this idea that the man should bring home the bacon. Do not shame the woman because of her income. She worked for her position and deserves her money. Do not shame men who are stay-at-home fathers. Sometimes men have to. It is okay. It does not mean that they are not a "real man." What even defines a "real man"? It shouldn't be the income or who stays home and helps out with the kids.
The roles of dating for a man and woman is so unusual to me. Why do we display this image of what a men and women must do while dating? It confuses me when I hear people say the man should always pay for every date. No! I am making money, let me spoil you as well. Do not pay all the time just because you are a man. Do not buy me flowers and not expect nothing in return. Perhaps I would like to buy a man chocolates or take him on a date, but society says no. Why? I don't believe in catering a man like a servant. Yes, I want to spoil him, and I appreciate his need to spoil me. But society should not say whether it's right or wrong for either of us to exchange different actions. I should not be expected to just give out because he paid for my meal. I do not expect him to give out because he feels pressured by society to or else it makes him gay. These roles need to stop. Treat each other as equals. Do everything half and half. Don't let society control they way you treat one another.
Although we have moved forward from a century ago, we still have a ways to go. We still tend to hold on to these ideas of what defines a man and a woman. Times have changed and so have people. Nothing a person does strips away their identity. A woman is not less than a man and vise verse. We have to work together and build one another. I look forward to the day where both sexes can stand together and view each other as equals.
