Perhaps the most daunting of tasks for any one female; to fill the shoes of those who came before her. How, in today's society, can a woman truly make a difference? Has the role of gender really been cast aside in lieu of a better, genderless based society?
In a word, hardly. Have situations and such been 'brought up to par' in terms of equality towards women? Some would argue that yes, in fact, they have. Others might argue that perhaps the stakes have been swayed in favor of our ultra-feminist counterparts. Those 'thug' types whose sole agenda seems to be a dominating role over their male rivals. Still others would argue that we still have a ways to go in the fight for women's liberation.
Thing is, at least from this males vantage point, the scores are about neck and neck with just as many women out there trying to make a difference; at least in this country. Hell, even in the grand old backwards state of Alabama we have women making contributions to society on a far grander scale than in times past. That, in my mind, is a true representation of progress. Let's face it, battles may be won but the war is far from over.
So what happens when the typical male reads headlines about feminists and their agendas? Here in good old Bama Country, even if it happens on a subconscious level, men everywhere are picking up their weapon of choice for 'their cause' and battling back. I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. It stimulates competition between the sexes which I believe is as important as the oxygen we breathe. The important thing is that both men and women are each given an opportunity to be everything they desire to be without restraint from the other side.
In my humble opinion the true definition of equality is lost on the population and a poor choice of wording for our nations founding documents. You cannot have two sides considered 'equal' until both sides match-even basic math tells us this. Hence I, myself do not subscribe to the belief that all men or women are created equal. If we were we would all possess the same level of skill and capable of the same potential. As imperfect creatures, that just doesn't add up. However, when you substitute the word balanced, which I will humbly admit sounds absurd when speaking of man in general, you arrive at an entirely different conclusion. Each has an ability or skill to bring to the table. Each has the infamous three levels of goals (private, public, political) and each will take away a different piece of the pie; some larger, some smaller. This, I believe, goes a bit farther to describe what the forefathers of our country had in mind when speaking of equality. Each man and woman, because we are of one race, human, have certain rights given to us by virtue of living here and being citizens and being human. After that, you're on your own. Does that mean one person is better than another? Nope, in fact using a term such as balanced removes the possibility for that statement altogether. It means you are a puzzle piece with a place to fit in should you be fortunate enough and diligent enough to find it.
My favorite example of this is as follows. I have a very dear friend; a colleague of mine where I work. She is my sounding board, my confidant, and someone I truly admire. To those who know her she is strong willed, confident without the ego and man oh man can she accessorize...but, I digress. She is one of the few people I know that genuinely cares about others. Sure, on the surface there are those who seem to care but will only act if it involves them personally or will impact their situation in a positive way. My friend, on the other hand, although approaching a situation with calculated compassion, always weighs both sides and arrives at what most would consider to be a fair and just compromise that will usually leave both parties feeling satisfied.
My friend is someone who dedicates herself to something willingly and faithfully; never picking up a responsibility unless the cause is something other than rewarding for herself and others.
She once said that her role as temporary chair of the Women's Leadership Institute was a dubious one. How could someone not influenced by the idea of gender ever serve to fill this type of role (since historically the role has been served by feminists, at least from my perspective and possibly hers.) My answer was swift and confident; because she, as someone without a gender agenda can more fully dedicate herself to obtaining the balance of roles between men and women. Placing more emphasis on women in a leadership role with a positive influence rather than the negative stereotype. Yet, she can still realize when the potential greatness of a man in a leadership role will serve the greater good. More at home with a power saw than a box of bonbons and the daily soaps, she champions the ideal of true leadership with her ability to see past gender bias and cut right to the meat of the matter. She can see the true potential of a person, male or female, and challenge them outright if necessary (challenges stimulate strengths) to help them achieve their true potential.
In the end, with more positive influence from this younger, leaner, unbiased generation, I believe we will begin to see a sway away from the days of old where your gender defines your personality. At least, I hope it will one day.
In a word, hardly. Have situations and such been 'brought up to par' in terms of equality towards women? Some would argue that yes, in fact, they have. Others might argue that perhaps the stakes have been swayed in favor of our ultra-feminist counterparts. Those 'thug' types whose sole agenda seems to be a dominating role over their male rivals. Still others would argue that we still have a ways to go in the fight for women's liberation.
Thing is, at least from this males vantage point, the scores are about neck and neck with just as many women out there trying to make a difference; at least in this country. Hell, even in the grand old backwards state of Alabama we have women making contributions to society on a far grander scale than in times past. That, in my mind, is a true representation of progress. Let's face it, battles may be won but the war is far from over.
So what happens when the typical male reads headlines about feminists and their agendas? Here in good old Bama Country, even if it happens on a subconscious level, men everywhere are picking up their weapon of choice for 'their cause' and battling back. I don't necessarily see this as a bad thing. It stimulates competition between the sexes which I believe is as important as the oxygen we breathe. The important thing is that both men and women are each given an opportunity to be everything they desire to be without restraint from the other side.
In my humble opinion the true definition of equality is lost on the population and a poor choice of wording for our nations founding documents. You cannot have two sides considered 'equal' until both sides match-even basic math tells us this. Hence I, myself do not subscribe to the belief that all men or women are created equal. If we were we would all possess the same level of skill and capable of the same potential. As imperfect creatures, that just doesn't add up. However, when you substitute the word balanced, which I will humbly admit sounds absurd when speaking of man in general, you arrive at an entirely different conclusion. Each has an ability or skill to bring to the table. Each has the infamous three levels of goals (private, public, political) and each will take away a different piece of the pie; some larger, some smaller. This, I believe, goes a bit farther to describe what the forefathers of our country had in mind when speaking of equality. Each man and woman, because we are of one race, human, have certain rights given to us by virtue of living here and being citizens and being human. After that, you're on your own. Does that mean one person is better than another? Nope, in fact using a term such as balanced removes the possibility for that statement altogether. It means you are a puzzle piece with a place to fit in should you be fortunate enough and diligent enough to find it.
My favorite example of this is as follows. I have a very dear friend; a colleague of mine where I work. She is my sounding board, my confidant, and someone I truly admire. To those who know her she is strong willed, confident without the ego and man oh man can she accessorize...but, I digress. She is one of the few people I know that genuinely cares about others. Sure, on the surface there are those who seem to care but will only act if it involves them personally or will impact their situation in a positive way. My friend, on the other hand, although approaching a situation with calculated compassion, always weighs both sides and arrives at what most would consider to be a fair and just compromise that will usually leave both parties feeling satisfied.
My friend is someone who dedicates herself to something willingly and faithfully; never picking up a responsibility unless the cause is something other than rewarding for herself and others.
She once said that her role as temporary chair of the Women's Leadership Institute was a dubious one. How could someone not influenced by the idea of gender ever serve to fill this type of role (since historically the role has been served by feminists, at least from my perspective and possibly hers.) My answer was swift and confident; because she, as someone without a gender agenda can more fully dedicate herself to obtaining the balance of roles between men and women. Placing more emphasis on women in a leadership role with a positive influence rather than the negative stereotype. Yet, she can still realize when the potential greatness of a man in a leadership role will serve the greater good. More at home with a power saw than a box of bonbons and the daily soaps, she champions the ideal of true leadership with her ability to see past gender bias and cut right to the meat of the matter. She can see the true potential of a person, male or female, and challenge them outright if necessary (challenges stimulate strengths) to help them achieve their true potential.
In the end, with more positive influence from this younger, leaner, unbiased generation, I believe we will begin to see a sway away from the days of old where your gender defines your personality. At least, I hope it will one day.
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