why gender roles are no longer necessary | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Feminism

To The Boy From Orientation, Women Are Not Trying To Be Like Men, We're Exercising Our Right To Be Equal

Women are finally, slowly getting freed from the suffocating and oppressive laws that came with being a woman.

207
college orientation day

Before I proceed with my article, I would like to say that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Everyone is also entitled to sharing their opinion as long as it doesn't harm anyone. I also want to state that I will respect someone even if their opinion differs from mine.

This past week I attended my new student orientation for college. At orientation, not only did we partake in fun, team-building activities, but we also engaged in meaningful conversations such as about microaggression and the impact of language. While discussing, the phrase "like a girl" was brought up. "Run like a girl." "Walk like a girl." "Fight like a girl." This discussion about language soon turned into a discussion about women and their relationship to the media and societal expectations.

It was then, one man shared his thoughts and stated, "Women are losing their identity. Before. there used to be set gender roles. Women were like so and men were like so. But now women just try to act like men."

As this man was speaking almost every girl in the roomed gasped with shock, disgust, anger, and disappointment.

Although I am ashamed to admit it, I was also one of the girls who gasping with all the aforementioned emotions. I am ashamed because I think it is very important to completely listen to what the other person is trying to say. Let the person complete their thought before jumping to conclusions, preventing the person from finishing sharing his or her opinion. I think this is important because you always learn from others when you listen. It is extremely important, especially in today's culture, to not be close-minded, and the best way to avoid that is by listening to others.

In the real world, you will not always meet people you agree with. You can try explaining to the person why you think they are wrong and actually maybe change their minds, but there are many times where you just can not do anything. It is also important to let the other person finish for the simple reason of showing respect. You would want someone to let you finish talking and listen to what you have to say, right? Then do the same for the other person. You can't get respect from a person until are you respecting them too.

So boy from orientation who made that comment, if you are reading this, I would like to say that I am sorry I reacted first without hearing what you had to say to the end.

However, boy from orientation, that is not all I have to say to you. I know I said this during the discussion at orientation, and what I am about to say may not change your opinion at all, but I am not going to stay silent.

You say women are trying to become more like men. If exercising our birthright to be equal to a man is "trying to act like a man" then you are damn right. Women are finally, slowly getting freed from the suffocating and oppressive laws that came with being a woman. Yes, there were gender roles in the past. But those gender roles are outdated. They are from times when women weren't allowed to vote. They were from times when women weren't allowed to go to school. They were from times when a woman was completely and utterly dependent upon a man for providing them a comfortable life. They were from times when women weren't as human as a man.

So yes there were gender roles, and yes they are changing to something that may not be as clear yet. But this change is 1000% better than what was in the past. This change is for the better. Even today, women still face countless issues that prevent them from being equal to a man. But we are still fighting that. And we will keep on fighting until we are treated exactly like a man is... we will keep fighting till we are freed from the oppressive restrictions placed on women. We will fight till we are free.

Boy from orientation, women are not LOSING their identity. Hell, we are finally GAINING one.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2153
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1295
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200521
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21087
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments