Good Sexism-Gender Term Paper Example

Today’s society has a significant emphasis on the upholding of gender equality; this is specifically evident in women empowerment. Over the years, women’s rights activists, feminists, and other supporters struggled to improve a woman’s role, position, and rights in the society. It saw a remarkable improvement as today’s women enjoy equal opportunities and rights at home and in the workplace. We can without a doubt say that gender equality in today’s society is steps ahead of the conditions that existed in previous decades.

Individual and Society

It is the improved nature of gender equality in the society that presents a paradoxical argument. Despite the evident progress, the society is plagued with modern sexism. Despite the society’s collective condemnation of sexism, individuals subject members of the opposite sex to endless sexist remarks and treatment. How is it conceivable for the society to uphold gender equality and the individuals to perpetuate sexism? Is it not the individuals that form the society? The statement presents an absurd and self-contradictory situation that is logically unacceptable.
It is encouraged by the ideologies and worldviews held by members of the society regarding the role of women and men in the society. In her book Paradoxes of Gender, Lorber depicts the contradictory nature of gender views through contextual examples. She uses a woman’s child-bearing ability as a gender paradox (Giampetro-Meyer 133). In her opinion. Men used women’s child-bearing ability as a reason women should be subordinate. In actual sense, a woman’s ability to give birth gives her an advantage over men.
Individuals in the modern society continue holding on to outdated views about gender roles. Many educated and knowledgeable individuals today still believe women should remain restricted to certain roles. The beliefs exist even after women worldwide have proven the ability to succeed in male-dominated areas. As long as people continue holding on to such beliefs, collective efforts by the society to promote gender fairness will remain futile.

Authority and Liberty

The extent of gender equality promotion in the society depends on the society leaders’ provisions on what constitutes sexism and gender equality. Although the government depicts gender equality as a right every citizen should enjoy, it has not established adequate restrictions on sexism. The situation presents a paradox; despite the assurance of legal action for sexism in the workplace and other contexts, a significant amount of modern sexism continues today. The government thus seems to allow the violation of the gender equality liberty it promises its people.
A good example is evident on the level of gender conservatism opposing women seeking election to political offices. The degree of modern sexism is unavoidable in the workplace. According to Jaffe (1), there is an emergence of new subtle sexism in the workplace. It is directed more at women in male-dominated professions. Evidence from studies shows that women that are successful in male-dominated domains, promote themselves, or negotiate for higher pay are disliked. According to sexists, they break the assumption that women should be incompetent, modest, and passive. The sad fact is that even as the sexism occurs, many organizations lack adequate guidelines for preventing such occurrences; this is despite the level of authority the leaders have over the employees. It is a violation of the employees’ liberties and misuse of the organization’s authority.
The paradox can only end through the occurrence of a change in individuals. The guarantee of gender equality and elimination of sexism can be possible if members of the society realize the corrupt nature of their views. It will allow them to learn from and change their views to tolerant and accommodative ones. The government can contribute to ensuring the promotion of gender equality and punishment of sexism through effective laws. It will ensure the creation of a society free of sexism, and unfair tendencies.

Works Cited

Giampetro-Meyer, Andrea. “Towards Gender Equality: The promise of paradoxes of gender to promote structural change.” William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law. Volume 1. Issue 1 (1994). Web. Available from: < http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1294&context=wmjowl > [Accessed April 8, 2015].
Jaffe, Eric. “The New Subtle Sexism towards Women in the Workplace.” Fast Company (2015). Web. Available from: < http://www.fastcompany.com/3031101/the-future-of-work/the- new-subtle-sexism-toward-women-in-the-workplace > [Accessed April 8, 2015].