What is the logic in teaching children about equality between genders?

Question

Of course we are talking as far as rights and workplace equality, but some seem to want it to be for more. What I don't understand is the preaching of equality in all sorts of life then turning around and telling a young boy, that no matter what the situation or what is going on, to never lay a hand on a girl. Yet these same people tell a girl to never hit anyone, but always defend herself specially against boys wether they are physically touching them or not. So obviously there is no equality there because boys are being told to be passive submissive when dealing with girls, even if they are being attacked by them, yet girls are being taught to be defensive in all situations no matter what. The thing is when someone brings this up, they argument that boys are stronger therefor should not hit comes up, but when a person says boys are stronger than women therefor should do the heavy labor, the complaint about equality and women being able to starts to arouse. It's one or the other.

Answer 1

I think it's important to teach all children, boys or girls, to defend themselves if they are being hurt or attacked, no matter what gender the offender is.

Afterall, little boys are sometimes raped, and some little girls grow up to be as big and strong as men.

Answer 2

It's a good point but the end of it was kind of hard to follow.

Equality is about fairness in society. I think most realistic "feminists" would say yes there is a physical difference between men and women. However, the equality that is sought after is to have the same econmic, social, and political rights as men. That is equal pay for the same work (women are still earning less than a man even when doing the same job), equal opportunities (if there is funding for a sports team at a high school for boys, there should be equal funding for a sports team for girls), and equal representation in the law (why do many health insurance policies cover Viagra but won't cover birth control?).

However, historically males have been the aggressors and are larger/stronger group. And because there is a higher incidence of violence against women perpetrated by men, men do need to be taught that violence against women is not acceptable. Also, until the past 20 years or so, women had been expected to put up with domestic violence... often being told by their own mothers, their priests, their fathers, everyone they trust, that it's up to them to make their husbands happy and it must be something the wife is doing to cause the husband to strike out.

So now, perhaps women, to feel a bit more balanced about their role in society, should be taught that it is OK to stand up for yourself.

So the comments you make about a guy being told not to hit and a girl being told to defend herself don't really hold much power in the argument because it is not an equal playing ground physically or societally. Also, DEFENDING ONESELF is not the same as BEING THE FIRST TO STRIKE. Big, big difference there. And I've heard of women being arrested and going to jail for physically abusing their husbands so I know the shoe has been on the other foot.

As for heavy labor... if I'm a woman capable of lifting heavy boxes, etc. and wanted to do that as my job, I would be more than happy to do so AS LONG AS I am getting paid the same amount of money as my male counterpart.

Answer 3

I'm a woman, and I completely agree with your argument. I've often stood up for men who sat and let a girl just pound on them when she got heated ... telling them that the "never hit a girl" doesn't apply to some psycho who just goes off on you. When she strikes the first blow for some unknown reason, all those lovely little gender roles we're ingrained with from birth fly right out the window, in my book.

I appreciate the things that men do for me that I can't do, and I do acknowledge that I can't do "everything" a man can. Some women can do more than me, some can do less. There are probably some men even who can't do everything that I can do, at least not easily. I've had men amazed when I pick up a 50-pound sack of feed myself and heist it to my shoulder to get it where it needs to be. They see this as a "man's job," but it's something I've been doing since junior high since I lived in the country and with animals. I'm very well capable of lifting and carrying loads up to about 100 pounds, but yes, I still have problems sometimes with opening a pickle jar! =)

I think the better thing to teach future generations is to appreciate the difference between gender, and the things that you "need a man." And indeed, just as girls are taught that it's never okay to let someone beat on you for no reason, boys should be taught the same. It is a two-way street (regardless of the gender).

Answer 4

I have 6 boys. I have been telling them since they were little not to hit people out of anger. I teach them that using violence to dominate is wrong as well. This includes both boys and girls.

The whole fact of the matter is society says it's wrong to hit girls even if they hit boys. It's a double standard, true, but we have to operate within the bounds of our culture. My boys would be very much frowned upon if they hit back. But if you are being attacked to the point of bodily harm, I say fight for all you're worth!

I can't figure out a way out of this double standard. I'm a woman and I'll be the first to admit that there are things that a guy could do better than I. But I also don't advocate the return of women as chattel either.

Answer 5

I commend you for asking this question, indeed you do address a valid issue with regards to the genders. While I can't speak for society in general, I can tell you how I was raised and how I raise my children. Men, on average, are stronger than women, it's just in the genetics. As a result, men are going to be better at those tasks that require heavy labor. That's not to say that you won't find some rather large women in heavy labor positions, but on average, it's going to be a male dominated field.

As far as the offensive/definsive argument goes. I will not strike a woman that I love in anger, but I will block any blows that come my way. If some woman I don't know is attempting to engage me in a fight, I have no problems with striking her, for if she wishes to act like a man, I'll treat her as such. Any attempted shots to the my groin, whether landed or not, will result in her receiving a full-blown butt-whooping. I have no respect for people that take the cheap shot. Simply put, act civil and I'll remain civil.

Answer 6

Yeah, I've noticed this, too. My girlfriend once said that she was all for sexism as long as it was in the woman's favor. I got mad at her for it. There's a certain bitterness I've noticed in a lot of women who feel it's appropriate to discriminate against men in this day and age because culture has discriminated against women for such a long time. The thing is, culture doesn't discriminate anymore, or at least not nearly as much. If everyone would just forget about sexism it would go away, but people keep bringing it back it different forms and in varying intensities. Why do people like to perpetuate discrimination, especially when they admit it's a bad thing? Of course, not all women are like that, but a good amount of the women I know are.

Answer 7

It depends on your definition of equality.
It's absolutely true that men and women are not exactly the same. Just from a biological standpoint, there are some things about men and women that are different. Also, men and women have different roles in the family. So in that sense men and women are definitely not equal -- that is, in their roles.
However, a way in which men and women should be equal is in status. It is inappropriate to think that men are better or more important than women. In that way, we are equal.

And as for hitting, it's really not appropriate to hit anyone. So I think we shouldn't be teaching boys to hit except in defense, either.

Answer 8

You have answered it in your written thoughts...'There is no logic.'

I believe that there is no equality in the situation you named. Equality is used to represent 'attitude and action with consequence'. It should been named "teaching" 'respect of men and women' instead of equality.

Equality originally was taught to represent itself more in monetary gain and the fact to 'let women try' than in the actual 'force' of 'emotion and strength'. (Watch an episode of Survior.) grins...

Men are very different than women. Size and strength are not accurate ratings, however. Women can have children which requires a tremendous internal/emotional/physical strength. So, too men have a way of dealing with emotional, physical strain using a different anatomy (physiological) set up. No genuine equality...just different body types and thinking structure.

Answer 9

Its more likely that a man will hit or hurt a women then a women would hit a man.So I think that since men hitting women happens more often thats why girls are taught to defend themselves.

Answer 10

I think it's because any type of violence happens ALOT more with males. Males make up for most of the murders, robberies and rapes.


PS: Dont forget to report the person above me for point gaming so she loses her points LOL