How can women liberate themselves from the political control and (de)valuation of their lives?

Question

For instance, men always devalue women, treat them as "commodites" and as objects. As such, it can be argued that women are considered a "lesser" sex/gender, something on the bottom rungs of a social/political/economic ladder, with men on top. How can women break free from these bottom rings and move up the latter? (Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology).

Answer 1

They cannot..
The are smaller, weaker & less agressive than men...

Answer 2

To begin with You could start by not using "generalisations " about men. Try prefacing any comment with the qualification "A small minority of Men may be presumed to- " rather than the blatantly sexist assertion of a "fact", e.g., "men always-". It's just a thought but have you ever considered the concept that perhaps Your overtly "Gender Specific Attitude of Vilification Towards Men" may be the basis for any contra-productive interactions You may have encountered? Strange isn't it that You can say whatever You like, yet should a man do so then He is castigated for being a Sexist Bastard?
Women can only ever improve Their lot in life by getting on with the job of proving to their peers (both Male and Female) that they are indeed as good as they perceive Themselves to be. Let's face it, who wants to be know as the person who rose to the top, not through skill or knowledge, but rather by stint of winging?

Answer 3

They already are- including having superior civil & labor laws. Simply put, feminists are doing to men what men have done to women. It's only a matter of time, with the help of job outsourcing, Hollywood bashing men, that women will be on top.

Answer 4

Normally, this is the type of question I would read, check out a few answers and move on but the manner in which you pose the question begs for comment. Women can liberate themselves by losing the victim status. The way you pose your question suggests that you see yourself as a victim which is the surest way to be one. You say, "men always devalue women..." That, in fact, is not true. People find that which they seek. I am female, educated, 45, employed, and yes, even valued by those around me, including men. I do not allow my behaviour to be predicated upon the behaviour of others. I make my own decisions, and choices, and when I am confronted with injustice or inequality, it is typically a symptom of ignorance by a person who devalues all people through his or her own feelings of self- importance with little regard to race, gender, religion and all the other excuses given for those prone to a superiority complex. When I don't get a promotion, I don't say, it's because I'm a woman, I'm oppressed". Rather, "what must I do to be better prepared to reach my goals?" I look inward and find within myself the necessary strength, stamina, will, intelligence, etc., to move forward. I am not suggesting that what you say does not occur. It most certainly does. But we will never reach true equity unless we can assume some responsibility for ourselves. We hold ourselves down as much as society does and we can only be held down if we allow it. Are there men who try to keep women in their place? of course. Are there women who find being a victim of society easier, safer? Absolutely. After all, if I don't succeed or reach my goals, or never become anything more than I am now it's much better to say that someone else did it to me. With that in mind, I choose not to absolve myself of responsibility by blaming others. As I mentioned before, there certainly are those who are consumed with their own self-importance, but they needn't be a deterrent to me.

So, how can women liberate themselves? Take responsibility; take action; set goals; strive to become more than we are; disallow inequity; become part of the solution and inspire those around us to do the same; earn respect; expect satisfaction and victory. Like Bruce Almighty said, "Be the miracle!"

Answer 5

By making their own income women gain more and more power over their own lives and don't need men to define them or to value them as commodities. Simply being able to be educated and to own property in their own right have done more for women than almost any other advance. Widespread availability of the birth control pill was the last major development that freed women from having to be pregnant all the time. This meant they could more easily go to college and hold jobs.

As women gain more seats in congress and in government in general women will have more influence over how the country is run. Since a lot of women executives have run into a glass ceiling at Fortune 1,000 companies, they have been starting their own businesses in great numbers and now start more businesses than men. As these companies mature, with women heading them, more of the financial world will be influenced by women.

Answer 6

I think that first of all that women (including myself) should do everything they can to equalize themselves with men: try for high paying jobs and things like that.

But I also think that there are a lot of things in society that de-vaulue women that are a problem.

First of all, rap music (at least most of it) has lyrics that treat women as nothing more than objects. That's why I never listen to any music like that, and I think that other women (and men) shouldn't listen to it either.

Oh, and the user "common sense" will be reported as abusing this forum.

Answer 7

They can free themselves by not entertaining men who don't treat them right. When a woman stays with an abusive, controlling man, then she is telling him that it okay for him to treat he like that. Also if women want men to respect us for who we are and think of us as stong women, then we need to respect ourselves. We need to dress like we want respect. When women go out in public looking like they just stepped out of a whore house, then how do they expect men to think of them. If a woman is dressed nicely, decent men, will not think of her as a sex object. If a woman walks in with cleavage hanging out, that is all anybody is going to see. I am not suggesting that we all run around looking like nuns, or Amish or something. But we can look very nice, very fashionable and we will get a lot more respect from men.

I think that these are the two main ways that women can gain respect from men. I also think that a woman can be a stay at home mom and still be an equal with her husband who works outside of the home. I think that a mother staying home with her children is as important a role as the husband going to work to provide for the family. As long as it is her choice and she is not treated like a second class citizen, then there is nothing wron with that.

So I guess I am saying that women can stop men from devaluing them, by not devaluing ourselves and by expecting and requiring respect from men.

***Edit**

Also if women head the fight against pornography, that will be a huge step. I believe that pornography is the biggest thing in society today that degrades and devalues women. It objectifies women and does not demand respect from men. If we lead that fight and teach our sons that looking as women as sex objects is wrong, that will do a lot for our cause. As long as we put up with our men partaking of that filth, then they will continue to disrespect and degrade us.

Answer 8

How can women liberate themselves from the political control and devalution of their lives?
Quit buying cosmo and worshipping stupid fashion crap. You don't take into account womens complicity in the whole gender role game.

Answer 9

It is impossible.. They are the product of their own making