Can men and women ever really be equal?

Question

I am a traditional feminist who believes that men and women should have political, social, and economic equality. I dislike demeaning stereotypes and gender roles.

However, nearly every society and culture throughout history and even today have been male-dominated. Science, politics, art, literature, inventions, and contributions are all male-dominated.

Do you think men are superior to women? Do you think the fact that men have dominated the world and continue to do so is evidence of men being superior to women?

Answer 1

This is a really difficult question to answer, but all I can really say on the subject for now is that men and women obviously have different roles to play. Men are generally physically stronger, but women are more flexible, and they are certainly more emotionally intelligent. They both have strengths and weaknesses alike that will make them complement one another. I doubt seriously for this reason that women would be able to live permanently in a society away from men altogether (it has been brought up in L*****n feminist circles many times). Ditto to men all living alone as well.

I wouldn't say men were superior because that would be saying that they're better at women at rearing children and being emotionally switched on and this is clearly not true. Just because women are not as tall as men generally and are not as strong in a muscular sense does not make them inferior; they have attributes both physical and mental that outweigh this. It all comes back to being different, not superior nor inferior.  

Answer 2

Since our experiences as individuals are so different (regardless of our s*x), equality-of-outcome is impossible to achieve, because different experiences produce different outcomes.  Add to that the biological differences between the sexes (again, producing differing experiences), and you've definitely got inequality built-in.  I think you need to narrow the terms of the question a little.  In what avenues of life would it be significant (and sufficient), in your view, for an equal outcome to emerge?  Due to the diversity in society, we can't possibly be equal in every single area.  And in every area that you want to measure, is it possible that CHOICE is mitigating the outcome (rather than systemic discrimination)?  Here are a few examples:

1.  Political representation.  Definitely unequal in the outcome (men are far more represented).  But are women choosing not to run for lower office (which affects the outcome for higher office)?

2.  Earning power.  Men still have the edge here, because stay-at-home moms and wives aren't paid a salary.  But are such stay-at-home women forced by violence to occupy that role, or rather do they forgo a paid job by choice?  (Also note that stay-at-home women have more spending power than the men who support them)

3.  Professional status.  Men still have the edge here, as more men than women are in top corporate positions.  But reaching the top of the corporate ladder requires major sacrifices, such as years of qualifying education and experience, frequent 80-hour work weeks and a singular focus on job success.  Could it be that women are choosing to live more balanced lives?  Do they leave work precisely at 5PM in order to pick up the kids and be home in time to make dinner?  If balancing work with family is your priority, you'll compete unfavorably vs. the untethered workaholic who is pining for a promotion.

There are COUNTLESS other ways in which the sexes are unequal, not just the above three.  Personally, I reject the premise of your question.  Inequality does not necessarily mean that injustice exists, or that one s*x is "superior" to the other; in fact, it may only indicate *competing priorities* which are often impossible to quantify -- in time or dollars.  How can you put a dollar value on the satisfaction you experience by living a balanced life, by eating dinner every night on your own dinner table, by having a close and daily relationship with your kids (or by having children at all)?  These less tangible benefits enjoyed by women all counter the more obvious advantages that "dominant" men enjoy in dollars and social status.  Such choices are just as valuable to the women who choose them (and if they weren't so valuable, why then would the women be choosing them)?

Answer 3

Women are not the best at raising children and that's a proven fact. Women are also the major abusers of children. Single mothers also produce more wayward children that indulge in more drug use, violence, become gang members, and early pregnancies just like mom..

So it's a generalisation and a blatant sexist comment to suggest otherwise..

Answer 4

I don't think anyone has given you a better answer than Honey Bear. Vote him as best answer please.

Answer 5

i wish they can... Some people are just so ignorant and dumb