A couple days ago I was working. I work in tourism, so tourists regularly come through and use the facilities. One of the tourists made a big 'mess' on the toilet seat, and the other staff and I were arguing about who had to clean it up.
There is one guy who works with us who told me I should do it because I am 'a girl' and it is a 'girls job'. That was unacceptable. So I told him that he was being unbelievably sexist.
After being called out on it, he apologized and went to clean up the mess. I'm not trying to say that girls should have to clean messes, its just not right that the responsibility gets immediately passed to the women. Especially because my job is to be out in the field while he is more of a 'behind the scenes' guy.
There is sexism in the workplace constantly, even when there is no messy toilet to clean up. Men and women both automatically sort work into what men should do and what women should do based on the type of job.
How many times have women been 'helped' because something is heavy or 'not a lady like thing to do'? Women are just as capable as men, and men are just as capable as women.
I know some guys and girls who say that a woman's job is to stay home to take care of their family and house. That is also extremely sexist. There are a million women who are just as good or better than their male counterparts at certain jobs. So why is it so hard for women to do well in the same position? Why do women have to fight so hard to have the same opportunities? Why do women get congratulated more than men for their achievements?
Treating men and women differently based on their gender is sexism. Sadly, sexism is all over the workplace. Women and men alike can feel the consequences of it. It's time to stop. We need to recognize and call people out on being sexist. And not just the bad things, the good things as well. Why should someone be able to tell a woman that she 'has an amazing job for a girl'? THAT IS SEXIST!!! Any compliment that has something to do with gender is usually sexist. We need to avoid that.
What sexism have you seen in the workplace? Do you think it's okay?
Showing posts with label feminism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feminism. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Monday, November 2, 2015
Women are Sexist Too
A lot of people are under the false impression that only men are sexist. That statement is sexist. Recently I've seen a lot of sexism coming from women, and just like sexism coming from men, it needs to stop.
I was talking with a girl from school today. We were talking about what we want to do when we graduate. When I told her I wanted to be a doctor she immediately corrected me. She asked "you mean a nurse right?" Then went on to say "Doctors are men."
This is just one example of sexism coming from women. Why can't a doctor be a woman? I know lots of female doctors, and male nurses. But for some reason, when you hear 'doctor' you think man, and when you hear 'nurse' you think woman.
Another example of sexism from women was pointed out in a Facebook post by an old friend of mine. Her point was about how adults act around children and babies.
She pointed out that it is acceptable for women to coo over babies, in fact, they are expected too. Men, on the other hand, are not "supposed" to do this. In fact, when they do play with children and babies, its makes them seem out of the ordinary and 'special'. Why? Because of how our society works. Because sexism runs so deep in our culture that its hard to imagine a man taking care of his child and a woman being the breadwinner of the family.
Women accept this as a truth, and that's why women are sexist. They may not even realize it.
What do you think? Do you think that women are being sexist? Or do you think that this is just how life is? Do you think that we will ever see a change?
I was talking with a girl from school today. We were talking about what we want to do when we graduate. When I told her I wanted to be a doctor she immediately corrected me. She asked "you mean a nurse right?" Then went on to say "Doctors are men."
This is just one example of sexism coming from women. Why can't a doctor be a woman? I know lots of female doctors, and male nurses. But for some reason, when you hear 'doctor' you think man, and when you hear 'nurse' you think woman.
Another example of sexism from women was pointed out in a Facebook post by an old friend of mine. Her point was about how adults act around children and babies.
She pointed out that it is acceptable for women to coo over babies, in fact, they are expected too. Men, on the other hand, are not "supposed" to do this. In fact, when they do play with children and babies, its makes them seem out of the ordinary and 'special'. Why? Because of how our society works. Because sexism runs so deep in our culture that its hard to imagine a man taking care of his child and a woman being the breadwinner of the family.
Women accept this as a truth, and that's why women are sexist. They may not even realize it.
What do you think? Do you think that women are being sexist? Or do you think that this is just how life is? Do you think that we will ever see a change?
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Sexism Is All Around Us... And We Don't Even Know It
Every day we see sexism. It might be a joke about how she's "just a girl" so she should or can't do it. It might be telling him to "grow a pair" because he doesn't want to do something. Sexism is so deeply threaded into our lives that we don't even realize when someone says something sexist, or when we do.
The other day at school we had marching practice (the whole school has to do it for a youth rally). The police officer who is teaching us is not only sexist, but pretty much uses every other "ism" in the book.
There is one very short boy in my little brothers class, and the police officer told him his new name was "Short stuff" and made him repeat it until the whole school had burst out laughing. The boy was not very happy.
Anyway, one other boy was causing a disruption and the officer was not very happy. He yelled for everyone to be quiet and told the boy "According to psychology, people who look for attention don't do well without attention. But this is more seen in girls."
First of all, I checked with a psychologist and that claim was completely wrong. Second of all, saying that girls looked for attention more way unbelievably sexist. There is absolutely no evidence of that, or any studies done to prove that. He just said it to make the boy feel like he was acting like a girl, which is horrible.
There is nothing wrong with acting like a girl, or being a girl, or anything to do with girls. But now, for some reason, being "like a girl" is an insult. Why is it so wrong for a man to have feminine traits or for a woman to have male traits? Why is it insulting for one gender to be associated with the other?
However, there are people that think that "like a girl" or "like a man" is a compliment, but that is wrong too. Saying that one is a compliment is the same as saying the other is an insult.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, so feel free to leave a comment. What sexism have you seen in your life?
The other day at school we had marching practice (the whole school has to do it for a youth rally). The police officer who is teaching us is not only sexist, but pretty much uses every other "ism" in the book.
There is one very short boy in my little brothers class, and the police officer told him his new name was "Short stuff" and made him repeat it until the whole school had burst out laughing. The boy was not very happy.
Anyway, one other boy was causing a disruption and the officer was not very happy. He yelled for everyone to be quiet and told the boy "According to psychology, people who look for attention don't do well without attention. But this is more seen in girls."
First of all, I checked with a psychologist and that claim was completely wrong. Second of all, saying that girls looked for attention more way unbelievably sexist. There is absolutely no evidence of that, or any studies done to prove that. He just said it to make the boy feel like he was acting like a girl, which is horrible.
There is nothing wrong with acting like a girl, or being a girl, or anything to do with girls. But now, for some reason, being "like a girl" is an insult. Why is it so wrong for a man to have feminine traits or for a woman to have male traits? Why is it insulting for one gender to be associated with the other?
However, there are people that think that "like a girl" or "like a man" is a compliment, but that is wrong too. Saying that one is a compliment is the same as saying the other is an insult.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, so feel free to leave a comment. What sexism have you seen in your life?
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Feminism Vs. Equality
Feminism is defined as the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. Equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. So what is the difference? Feminism is promoting women. This is why so many people, especially men, don't like feminism.
The truth is, feminism is basically viewed as another ism, even if its different. Many people hear the word and immediately assume that all it is is women trying to assert their dominance over men. Perhaps "feminism" isn't the right word for the movement, because true feminists really are trying to achieve sexual equality.
For this reason alone I do not label myself a feminist, even though I agree with their mission and cause. Men and women are both people, both human beings, so why should one be better than the other? Because one gender has a "y" chromosome instead of another "x"? Because one gender gives birth and the other doesn't? Because one gender is more physically inclined?
No. These reasons do not make one gender better than the other. It is true that males and females are different, but different does not mean better or worse.
Both feminism and equality try to get this point across. They both are part of the fight for what's right, even if feminism has an "ism" name.
Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what your thoughts are on equality and feminism. Don't forget to share this with your friends and follow my blog!
The truth is, feminism is basically viewed as another ism, even if its different. Many people hear the word and immediately assume that all it is is women trying to assert their dominance over men. Perhaps "feminism" isn't the right word for the movement, because true feminists really are trying to achieve sexual equality.
For this reason alone I do not label myself a feminist, even though I agree with their mission and cause. Men and women are both people, both human beings, so why should one be better than the other? Because one gender has a "y" chromosome instead of another "x"? Because one gender gives birth and the other doesn't? Because one gender is more physically inclined?
No. These reasons do not make one gender better than the other. It is true that males and females are different, but different does not mean better or worse.
Both feminism and equality try to get this point across. They both are part of the fight for what's right, even if feminism has an "ism" name.
Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what your thoughts are on equality and feminism. Don't forget to share this with your friends and follow my blog!
Thursday, October 29, 2015
The "isms"
The "ism's". That's what I call them. Sexism, racism, ageism, classism.... The list goes on and on. What they all have in common, besides their endings, is that they are all forms of discrimination. They all represent the belief that one group of people are superior to another.
Why do these exist? Why do humans feel the need to make themselves better by putting others down? Even feminism, which is supposed to represent equality, comes off as women saying that they are better than men, just because they are women!
The simple truth is, no one is better than anyone else because of how their genes came together. If anyone is truly superior to others, it is because they work hard and earn that title.
All throughout history ism's have existed. Men are better, the rich are better, whites are better, heterosexuals are better.
Some people just accept these to be truths, especially when they work in that persons favor. This happens much to often.
How do we stop these ism's from controlling how we live our lives? Frist we need to realize that they are. We need to open our eyes. We need to follow the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. Because that is our right, to be treated fairly.
So now I ask you, what ism's are a part of your every day life? What do you wish you could change? When have you seen these ism's in play?
I would love to hear your thoughts on ism's. Why do you think they exist? Who is affected most?
Don't let ism's slide. They don't help anyone. They put people down, people that are the same as me and you. We all deserve to be given a chance to show who we really are, and grow to our full potential. Don't we?
Why do these exist? Why do humans feel the need to make themselves better by putting others down? Even feminism, which is supposed to represent equality, comes off as women saying that they are better than men, just because they are women!
The simple truth is, no one is better than anyone else because of how their genes came together. If anyone is truly superior to others, it is because they work hard and earn that title.
All throughout history ism's have existed. Men are better, the rich are better, whites are better, heterosexuals are better.
Some people just accept these to be truths, especially when they work in that persons favor. This happens much to often.
How do we stop these ism's from controlling how we live our lives? Frist we need to realize that they are. We need to open our eyes. We need to follow the golden rule: treat others how you want to be treated. Because that is our right, to be treated fairly.
So now I ask you, what ism's are a part of your every day life? What do you wish you could change? When have you seen these ism's in play?
I would love to hear your thoughts on ism's. Why do you think they exist? Who is affected most?
Don't let ism's slide. They don't help anyone. They put people down, people that are the same as me and you. We all deserve to be given a chance to show who we really are, and grow to our full potential. Don't we?
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