Kat Chandler

Professor Rodrick

English 115 (2:00-3:15)

22 October 2017

We Are Not Weak

Women today have drastically changed from the domestic confinements the early

twentieth century had laid for them. Although many still believe this is how life should be,

women continue to prove how they can now work, divorce, pay mortgages, and live on their own

without a shameful reference being attached to it. Today, women are still being classified as

dependent and inferior despite their efforts to prove otherwise. Why are they still fighting to

prove their worth? Some argue women are supposed to be dependent on their husbands so they

could take care of their children. If this was the only way to live then why are there so many

children prospering in society who have originated from come from a single parent home?

Women deserve more credit. From the work field to the street, women have been identified as

objects; this can be an everyday battle. They are taught to conform to the society instead of

simply embracing whomever they are. They are forced to perform better than their opposing sex

while expecting second place every time. Unfortunately, in todays society the cycle never ends.

Women are constantly being told to change when others persecute them, forcing themselves to

accept the fact that they will be viewed as inferior against their male opponents, and becoming

tolerant of the fact that earning lower wages for the same job as a male is normal.

Public display of affection has never been a crime. A guy bringing a girl flowers and

chocolates has never been associated with disgust. A kiss on a cheek while strolling in the park

has not been viewed as disturbing. Yelling, however, about how hot a girl is in her tiny skirt
while she is walking by is a type of chivalry that should be dead. In most situations like these, a

woman is typically viewed more as an object instead of a human being. Unfortunately, women

are still being raised to change how they look to avoid situations like these. The idea of if you

wore a longer skirt or longer shorts should never even apply. People should be taught to respect

people, regardless of their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Outlawing cat-calling will be

like outlawing women from dressing in skirts above the knee. The real solution is instead of

forcing women to be aware of their space and conforming to it by altering their look, men should

be raised to never disrespect someone so publically. Forcing people to raise their children in a

way you approve is difficult maybe impossible, but showing people being respected on media

will affect how people are treated in reality. Some may argue that being cat-called should be

viewed as a compliment instead of an insult, however what those people fail to realize is that cat-

calling is verbal assault. According to Hafeezah Nazim, author of the article No More Cat-

Calling, she discusses what a harassment street calling is stating that it is offensive, invasive,

and makes [women] feel uncomfortable. [Women] should not and will not just "accept" your

"compliments", we just want to be left alone and to be treated like human beings. No one

should have to overcome events like these, male or female. Cat-calling is degrading, frustrating,

and rude. People deserve to be treated like human beings not objects of someones eye. We are

not animals and do not roll over or play dead. We are educated humans that have feelings,

personalities, and minds that function better than any other species. Women should not be told to

conform to a society that should be changing for the better.

Self-esteem is a serious thing. Being told that you are not good enough can take a toll on

anyone. Especially if it is over something you have no control over, like your biological gender.

The glass-ceiling effect is taking over once again. Females are inferior to males, at least that is
what society claims. From movies to novels woman are always clinging on to their man for

support. Although there is nothing wrong with this concept, what is wrong is how it is the only

concept. It is very rare for there to be a movie or novel where the woman needs no assistance

whatsoever from a man. It is okay lean on each other but it is troubling to think there has to be a

man in your life in order to get by. With this in the media and novels, the idea of being inferior to

men because they hold all the strength can negatively affect anyones mindset. Some say women

are too sensitive and need a man to counter their personality to create stability. Although having

someone who is opposite from you in your life creates a great balance, it is not one sided. Both

sides of the relationship need each other. Maybe a womans empathy can help a stubborn mans

mindset see a new perspective. According to Stephanie Webb, author of Do we think Children

need a mom or dad? what happens is the gender stereotypes are created and maintained due to

the roles that men and women (in particular heterosexual, men and women) are expected to fill

based on norms and practices that are determined by biological sex and power differentials. The

idea that these norms have affected us so greatly over time is absurd.

Lower wages for women have been viewed as an injustice for the past century, yet the

problem still stands. Why is it that a woman and a man working at the same rate and have the

same job get paid different wages? According to Bob Sanders, author of the article regarding

New Hampshires wage gap, he states womens median wages were 71 percent of men's wages

for the same work in 2008, said Brown. But women earned 77 percent of comparable men's wages

that year. This is a serious issue that needs to be put to an end. Women have earned their right to

be equal to men. There should have been no reason to fight for this right.
 Works Cited:

"No More Cat-Calling." University Wire, Nov 16, 2014, Global News stream,
Http://Libproxy.Csun.Edu/Login?Url=Https://Search-Proquest-
Com.Libproxy.Csun.Edu/Docview/1625260015?Accountid=7285.

Sanders, Bob. Wage Gap for Women Persists in New Hampshire: In the Most Recent Analysis,
Women Earned 77% Of the Amount Men Took Home in Median Full-Time Pay.
(Equality). New Hampshire Business Review, Vol. 34, No. 26, 2012, P. 12.

Webb, Stephanie N., Et Al. Do We Think Children Need a Mom and Dad? Understanding How
Gender Ideology Impact Attitudes Toward Same-Gender Parent Family Rights. Journal of
Homosexuality, 2017, Pp. 121.