AAUW Dialog

As a self-proclaimed feminist, I naturally find myself focusing on gender equality in terms of women and what affects us. Last night a wake-up nudge came from an unexpected source when I had the opportunity to hear Gloria Steinem speak. She reminded me that “gender equality” means equality for all genders. Now this might seem basic, but I found it profound. I think sometimes feminists like me forget that sexism negatively affects women and men.

To paraphrase Steinem, imagine “the human experience” as a pie chart, and certain characteristics, emotions, and experiences are socially deemed masculine or feminine. Let’s say two-thirds of them are masculine, and only one-third are feminine. While women, who are socially pushed to embrace the ideal of femininity, have access to less of the human experience, men too are denied access to full humanity when they are encouraged to subscribe only to masculinity. Sexism denies everyone the chance to be fully human.

I’ve been reading feministing.com founder Jessica Valenti’s book He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut, a hilarious (and somewhat depressing) take on the double standards that abound in our society. She looks at consequences for women and men who cross the gender line and how adhering to gender lines can be problematic. For example, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transsexual individuals are often targeted in hate crimes specifically because they do not conform to stringent codes of masculinity or femininity. Strict gender codes contribute to violence against women when men are taught to be active, aggressive, in control, and “strong,” while women are taught to be silent, polite, and submissive. Gender socialization no doubt contributes to the fact that only a meager 16 percent of members of Congress are women. And while women are socialized to seek safe work in homes, schools, and hospitals, men are encouraged to take jobs with more dangerous risks in fields like the military, construction, and athletics.

Last night, Steinem also suggested that some women and men fully subscribe to and seem content in such strict gender-stereotyped roles. While everyone should follow their bliss, I think these societal codes put in place by a patriarchal system at best stunt human progress and at worst lie at the root of the world’s anguish. And essentially, the lack of choice and support for crossing gender lines is problematic for both women and men.

So, feminist friends, let’s get back to our roots of “gender equality” and break down those gender barriers for the good of all.

This post was written by Catherine Grandorff, 2008–09 AAUW Student Advisory Council member.