I have this constant question about why there is a stark difference in the role of men and women in my country. I am an international student from China, and my arrival in the United States in 2014 made me realize how gender roles are way different in my country. Women’s interests are protected through a systematic legislation, and women’s rights and gender equality are supported by the Chinese government and many organizations. However, my exposure in the US society made me realize that women in my country continue to experience discrimination and inequality. Women in the US are now reaping the gains of the women’s liberation movement in the 1970s that transformed the ways by which people think about how a man or a woman should act (Feinberg, 194). Consequently, a closer examination reveals that the different treatment of women in the United States and in my home country can be attributed to tradition, culture and ethnicity. While there are other factors that impact gender roles in different societies, it is the tradition, culture and ethnicity that served as the paramount barrier in fully achieving equality in both genders in many countries such as China.
In my case, my gender identity and stereotype has been largely influenced by my mother who subconsciously brought me up to be like her. While I appreciate my parents’ efforts in responsibly nurturing me, I came to understand that my mother tailored my upbringing according to the Chinese tradition and culture. Thus, I have to take the traditionally imposed roles such as playing games and doing chores that are intended only for girls. My mother made sure that I get appropriate tips and advises on how to become a good wife and mother in the future. The practice of traditionally assigning gender roles is also reflected in many other genre or life categories. This is exemplified in how people and society came up with terms, terminologies and concepts that intentionally or unintentionally convey how men and women should act, behave and perform in the society.
In Jarrat’s Feminist Pedagogy, the author wrote that feminist pedagogy “is not about forcing all the students to subscribe to a particular political position, but rather engaging with students on the terrain of language in the gendered world we all currently inhabit” (Jarrat, 118). This implies how language students have to contend with the gender roles that is created by the society that we live in. Even with the concept of feminist pedagogy, written compositions are considered as a form of art or discipline which is ‘feminized’, because of the larger number of women engage in writing. One distinguishing aspect of feminization in written composition is that teachers are considered as “mythologized mother, endowed with qualities of self-sacrifice, dedication, caring and enormous capacities for untheorized attention to detail” (Jarrat, 118).
Going back to how my mother has inculcated feminine values during my growing up years, I come to understand why I feel so differently from American women. The spirit of feminity that was taught to me early on greatly affected the way I feel and act even after a considerable time of stay in the United States. With the notable difference between the role played by women in these two societies, I cannot help but wonder about my childhood dream to become a pilot. In the Chinese society, a girl wanting to become a pilot is a ridiculous idea and is frowned upon by a lot of people, despite the fact that there are already a large number of women pilots. Unknown to a large number of people, holding on to gender roles, specifically those that are imposed by a patriarchal society can have a serious implication on women’s prospects. This is because the reiteration of gender roles preserves the subordination of women, and this not only so in China, but also in other parts of the world.
Nevertheless, I am also glad that women empowerment remains steadfast in achieving gender equality. I take myself, my female friends, colleagues and relatives in the US as a demonstration of the success of women empowerment because we now have the opportunity to take a stand on our own beliefs and values. While we have been largely influenced by our cultural roots, we have learned to take a strong position in our life. In my case, I understand that I have to take even a masculine perspective, if I have to get what I want in my life.
I agree with Hooks when she said that feminism is not about women wanting to be equal to men (Hooks, 1). There are a large number of people who misunderstood the spirit of feminism, to the extent that they perceived feminist movements as anti-male activities, and this can be attributed to the fact that most people have been considerably influenced by the thinking of a male-dominated society. Some failed to consider that women are fighting for equal pay, equal share in workloads, opportunities and treatment. These are elements that are the focus of many women’s movements, which have been continuously denied in most societies, despite the fact that there is already a large number of women who are educated and are members of the workforce. I think that the reason why women advocates for gender equality is the realization that equality is an inherent characteristic of civilization and humanity. This awareness calls for the women to take action and raise consciousness “about the systematic degradation, violence, and discrimination that women faced in this society” (Feinberg, 194). At least, this has been the case among American women during the early years of the feminine movements.
While it is true that there are still instances when women in the United States suffer from inequality, they have come a long way from the struggle. Moreover, the government and many other organizations have been supportive of women in the US, and these are not confined to women’s groups. Reports revealed that there is a growing number of men who are profeminist and they are referred to as the ‘real men movement’. The men’s active participation in advocating for women’s rights and equality, and their efforts in changing their lives in order to promote equality at home signifies the transformation of how masculinity is defined (Kimmel, 569). The current advocacy of feminism today, in terms of men’s role is not only focused on things that men should not do against women, but also of the things that men should do to support women.
The support from both men and women can be considered as one among the factors that helped in promoting and achieving gender in the United States. While other countries such as China is still behind in terms of equality, there are indications that soon global women's equality will be achieved. For example, South Korea, which is known to have a very rigid patriarchal policy, started to embrace change such as allowing the women to become part of the labor force and get a college education (Rosin, 3). Women in Korea were able to prove their worth in the workplace and they were no longer confined in clerical occupations, but also in professional jobs.
Certainly, the changed attitude towards women in South Korea holds true in many countries such as China. A recent research revealed that “women own more than 40 percent of private businesses in China” (Rosin, 5), an indication of gender inequality is starting to crumble in the country. I have high hopes that more women, not only in my home country, but also in other parts of the world, will find the courage to rise above the inequality barriers imposed by culture and society.
Works Cited
Feinberg, L. "We are all Work in Progress." Women's Lives: A Multicultural Perspective. N.p., 1998. Print.
Hooks, Bell. Feminism for Everybody: Passionate Politics. South End Press, 2000. Print.
Jarratt, Susan. Feminist Pedagogy. N.p., n.d. Print.
Kimmel, Michael. "Real Men Join the Movement." Web.
Rosin, Hanna. "The End of Men." The Atlantic 2010: n. pag. Print.
