Quest for Gender Equality
Over the decades, the issue about gender is a very hot topic in society. Gender is one of the gauges of status differences. Consequently, gender inequality receives so much attention from people who are concern about social equality. Frequently, sex and gender are used interchangeably by most people but there’s a distinction about these two subjects. Sex is made biologically through chromosomes, brain structure, and hormonal differences while gender is constructed socially through social interactions. Gender identity is ones private sense of being a man or a woman, and consists primarily of the acceptance of membership in a particular group of people – male or female.
As a person, we developed our gender identity and gender roles during childhood. Cognitive Development of Kohler suggested that formation of symbolic thinking assists the acquisition of gender identity and the process of acquiring gender-appropriate behavior. According to the non-Freudian view, gender roles develop through internalization and identification during childhood. Internalization of gender norms could be seen by the example of which types of toys parents usually give to their children. Thus, “feminine” toys reinforce interaction, nurturing, and closeness; “masculine” toys often reinforce independence and competitiveness.
Up to the present generation the battle for superiority or even equality among genders is on and still continuing, I have my own doze of experiences regarding this issue. I have a male friend and we often have opposing ideas and opinions about certain matters. We even clash at times. We both don’t want to lose the argument. It may sound absurd but I think we are the human version of cats and dogs. He’s prideful and doesn’t accept his faults. Likewise, I have this thinking that nobody or no one can put me down particularly men. He values and protects his ego. The same way, I want my voice to be heard. He always tries to manipulate people especially his female friends. Nevertheless, I’m one of the exceptions because I can decode his actions and motives by merely observing him. He has machismo mentality. I support and advocate gender equality. Honestly, it’s hard to prove myself in front of our older friends and other people because we all know that Filipinos are still attached to paternity ideas. They have mindsets that men should be better than women – a kind of gender stereotyping.
I’m not a feminist neither a sexist. I’m just clamoring for fairness, equality, and justice between genders.
