FEATURE STORY
6
Gender Equality
By: Itzel Aispuro
When I was younger I knew I could become anything I wanted. I had big dreams. I have two great supportive parents that has always wanted for me to strive for greatness and do my best.
With greatness there always something negative that comes with it, but it didn’t happen till I got older. As I got older people will always tell me “you’re a girl so you belong in the kitchen”. I would get so offended by it. It doesn’t matter if I’m a girl, boys can also be in kitchen and I shouldn’t be stereotyped for my gender on what I should/shouldn’t do.
Growing up as a girl it would happen constantly and I would feel sad. Until one day I stood up for myself and I said “I’m not going to do as you say because I am me and this society doesn’t control me and my actions. Stereotypes are dumb.”
GENDER INEQUALITY
CHALLENGE STATEMENT:
“Since gender inequality exist we have negative impacts on many careers or in a day to day life style.”
“Previous studies have shown that these stereotypes – which shape our expectations about whether a man or a woman is a better “fit” for a given job – are powerful because they can bias a whole host of employment outcomes” (Thebaud & Doering, 2017).
“One of the biggest gender gaps is in the area of income: One-in-four working women (25%) say they have earned less than a man who was doing the same job; one-in-twenty working men (5%) say they have earned less than a female peer” (Parker & Funk, 2017).
“Trying to change or not accepting one’s personality can lead to internal conflict and unhappiness with the situation that the person is in” (Jones, 2016).
RESEARCH
IF GENDER INEQUALITY WASN'T A THING
“People would be more able to express themselves through whatever clothing and makeup they so desired. Children would not be directed towards or away from certain behavior simply because of their gender. Girls would be free to play baseball and boys could play with dolls and it would all be normal and life would go on.” (Sit, 2018)
STAKEHOLDER
Maria Garcia is a stakeholder that I contacted she is 33 and is a dentist. I asked her how has gender roles affected you on your way to being a dentist? Many patients ask me wow you do such a great job for a girl. When they say that I feel so disrespected. I wish woman didn’t have to go through being call a “girl”. What motivated you to keep going and do what you want? My family and the support they gave me. How was it a challenge to get where you’re at now? I had to work double the effort any male would need to do. Do you still get criticized for what you do? I do but I don’t take it to heart because I’m proud of the person I’ve become.