International Women's Day

[AdAstrα]

I thought this needed a topic, because it's something that I personally find very important. Girls of MLK, let's all take a moment to consider and appreciate how fortunate we are. All over the world, women are being abused and discriminated against every single day. In the Western world we speak, quite frequently, of gender equality, but in many countries this idea does not exist. The oppression towards women has been going on for thousands of years and will continue to do so, in all cultures and in all classes. Even where you least expect it, it is present. But I personally want to think that there is hope for a brighter future.

Here's to everyone suffering in silence when they are worth so much more. Be glad you aren't one of them, that you've been given an opportunity so many of us will never have: the chance to live a rich and happy life. I'd also like to dedicate this post to young girls and women suffering for different reasons, who struggle with low self-esteem and all the not so wonderful things that unfortunately come with being a young woman in today's society. You are all beautiful.

Happy Women's Day everyone.

[SophieCub]

Woo, Happy Women's Day! I feel so lucky and fortunate to live where I am, where women can get decent jobs and are treated the same as men. We should be proud. ^^

[Regulus]

Can I just say something real quick?

Having an international Women's day isn't exactly the best way to go about promoting gender equality.

That being said, I'd like to take a moment to wish everyone a happy You-don't-live-in-a-third-world-country-or-dictatorship-like-North-Korea day.

On second thought, perhaps 'Basic Human Rights Day' would be better.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

I think gender equality is important. Although I dislike feminism. Actually, I really dislike feminism. Humans, in a Darwinian sense (thanks Woeler xD), have always been male dominated and its like that in most species. Maybe some jobs are better off for men n stuff, no excuse about kitchen. Ya should both be making the sandwiches. In all seriousness though, the way some women are treated in some countries is disgusting. Learning about the roles of men and women in society in Sociology so yeah ^^

Reg has a point tho. We're all so lucky to live in a third world country, or a country with democracy.

Anyway, Happy Internationals Women's Day.

[SlayerOfLight]

Why can't there be an international Men's Day on MLK as well? This isn't gender equality...

[Regulus]

Okay, it's time to go on a tangent now.

[quote="AmyMarie"]Humans, in a Darwinian sense (thanks Woeler xD), have always been male dominated and its like that in most species.[/quote]

Actually, I beg to differ.

In a Darwinian sense, men are the hunters, but that's just about it. Women do everything else (thus making women the true dominant ones). Although it's just a stereotype, think of Homer Simpson. Sitting on a couch drinking and eating doughnuts while mindlessly watching TV is hardly what I'd call male dominated.

Of course, the obvious counterargument to this is that most leaders of countries are men, and that's not necessarily something that can be denied.

But, at least, in the familial sense, women have more of a say in what goes on. Ask most married guys, and they'll tell you their wife controls almost everything inside the house. That's where the term 'man cave' comes from - because it's all that's left.

I'm not saying men aren't the dominant ones at times and I'm not saying the opposite is true either. Again, these are mainly stereotypes.

[quote="AmyMarie"]Maybe some jobs are better off for men n stuff, no excuse about kitchen. Ya should both be making the sandwiches.[/quote]

The fact that these stereotypes exist is proof that we do not have gender equality, even in the modern, first world country.

And, to be honest, I'm not sure that it's something we ever will have. That's because it's not something that's just environmental. The fundamental structure of male and female brains is totally different, on a biological level (although, of course, that's just an average. There will always be a few who are outside of the bell curve).

The interesting thing, though, is that technology can negate such biological differences. Men have more upper body strength, on average, but a woman driving a forklift can still lift whole lot more, to the point where such variations are negligible.

But still, the point remains. Gender equality does not even exist in the modern world, so claiming that it does is rather amusing to me. When women have to sign up for selective services as well, then we'll talk.

Considering all that, I still do support gender equality, simply because not supporting equality in any way is rather ridiculous.

[quote="AmyMarie"] In all seriousness though, the way some women are treated in some countries is disgusting.[/quote]

Really, the only point I wanted to make is that it's not just women. In the majority (but perhaps not all) of those countries, it's a handful of men violating the rights of the majority of men and women alike.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

I'd rather not reply to all that in here, this is about International Women's Day. I'll give you a PM if you want ^^

[ScarsLove]

*cough cough* Back on topic...

Happy International Women's Day!

[TheLionPrince]

Happy International Women's Day!

I'm a guy who likes irony, but it seems ironic that today is International Women's Day, and just yesterday, President Obama signed into law an extension of the Violence Against Women Act, which of course, prosecutes and investigates all acts of violence against all women of race, national origin, and sexual orientation living in the United States.

[Woeler]

We celebrate the fact that women have rights RIGHT HERE while women are being beaten and oppressed on the other side of the world at this very moment. Hypocritical and inactivistic. Women's rights should be fought for, always. Not one day.

Celebrating the fact that women have freedom here while many others in this world don't would weigh very heavily on my conscience.

It is like mothersday. Should you be nice to your mother on that day? Yes, but you should also be nice to her all the 364 other days.

Btw
Genders differ. Each gender has their good and bad sides. Will they ever be equal? No, because A is not B.

Not all people are equal, but all people should be treated equally.
Alexander Pechtold