Why Tokenism cannot solve the fundamental
problems of gender equality
The term gender equality refers to the
belief that everyone should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated
against based on gender. Our social phenomena that shows the existence of the
presidency of women, quota systems in jobs, and the women parking lots may seem
like the gender equality has finally settled in, but the irony still remains.
Ever since women were granted suffrage in
1920 in the United States, many laws were passed in order to further enhance
women’s rights. Many corporations established quota systems to protect women
and modernize the employment system based on the ideals of the society: vowing
equal rights to both genders. As a result, women not only got to express their
political point of views, but also got employed in a white-collar job.
Women’s quality of life seemed like to
improve, but it was not actually true. The effect was temporary. They could not
get promoted above certain position even though they had stayed in that job
longer than men. The system that kids’ last name follows their father’s is now
currently abolished but our society is not that acceptable about that. This is
intensifying the patriarchal ideology in our world. Also, China has the
reserved seats system in the house for women, but is known as the country with
the most severe gender equality issues. Many women are not registered as
citizens in China, and their rights are being trampled. Mexico also has the
legislated candidate quota system but Mexican individuals do not have
guaranteed rights realistically.
If all these systems were established and
maintained in pure and good intentions, the fundamental problems of gender
equality would have been solved from the very origin. However, people, or the
nations, cared too much about the outward looks and the national image. This
could just solve the short-term problems, which could not effectively eradicate
all the institutional and structural problems and causes. In addition,
according to moral licensing, people tend to be immoral from the point where
they think they have behaved morally up to their certain standard. Thus, in
this case, people think this social laws and common laws have made their
thoughts moral, so they tend to be immoral to the individuals later on. This is
how this vicious cycle works and individuals’ rights get harmed.
I think the most significant factor in
solving this problem is the matter of people’s attitudes. As a girl in the
Confucianist country, I think I also have the prejudice about women even
towards myself. Women should stop wait for others to protect their rights, but
rather be more confident about their existence in our society and finally
achieve the “gender equality” together.
Great post. I like your observation that sexist attitudes aren't just restricted to men, and that women often perpetuate the very same attitudes that limit the roles they can achieve in society. Perhaps this is more generational than anything, as older women may have different ideas about the roles of women, but are women from your generation fully confident that they'll have the same professional opportunities as men? Probably not. Education is key, and gradually it will impact culture and society. Nice work.
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