Gender Equity
Everyone likes to feel as if they "fit in" to society. From a very early age our culture teaches us how to look, feel, and act in order to belong and avoid being a social outcast. Many times, acts culture deems to be socially acceptable may not feel natural to certain individuals. Fortunately, things that were not accepted as appropriate in the past by society are becoming more socially tolerated in the present. Societies view as to what are acceptable traits that males and females can possess for them to be considered a "man" or a "woman" have changed greatly over time. Because the traditional roles of males and females are not as rigid as they once were, people are free and more willing to display their true selves and the traits that make them a unique individual.Gender roles are learned early in life. The importance of conforming to what society believes is "correct" is stressed to children so that they will be socially pleasing to those around them. The essay, "Becoming a Member of Society: Learning the Social Meanings of Gender" by Holly Devor, talks about the leaning process of gender identity and the effects it may have on an individual: Learning to behave in accordance with one's gender identity
is a lifelong process. As we move through our lives, society demands different gender performances from us and rewards, tolerates, or punishes us differently for conformity to, or digression from, social norms. As children, and later adults, learn the rules of membership in society, they come to see themselves in terms they have learned from people around them. (421) Over time, and not without a struggle, society has allowed women to take on roles other than the one of the nurturing housewife. An interview conducted by Jean Reith Schroedel titled "Nora Quealey" tells the story of a woman that worked as a laborer for a trucking company, an occupation that is traditionally male dominated. Schroedel writes of one of Quealey's accomplishments at work: " I was the first woman ever to do radiators. That I liked. A driver would bring in the radiators, and you'd put it on a hoist, pick it up and put it on a sling, and work on one side putting your fittings on and wiring and putting in plugs" (432). Although women still are sometimes treated unfairly in the workplace, especially in areas that are usually populated primarily with males, over time there has been an increase in gender equality. Society also has expectations and rules that women are supposed to obey. Phrases such as meek, mild, docile, tender, sweet, and domestic are all assimilated with femininity, and are all ways that women are supposed to behave. Women are also expected to be caretakers; to take care of the house, their children, and most importantly, their man. In Jamaica Kincaid's story, "Girl" a mother tells her daughter the things she needs to know how to do in order to "prosper" as a woman:
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1266
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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