Relationships Between Men and Women
Decades after the social progress made during the 1960s and almost acentury after women gained suffrage in the United States, gender relationsare still floundering. It is easier now for women to succeed in variouscareers that were once entirely closed to the gender; even physicallydemanding jobs like firefighter are becoming increasingly populated bymembers of the female sex. Women who choose to bear children can now sharethe responsibilities of child rearing with the father, who is now deemedresponsible by law and societal norms to provide at least financially forthe well-being of his offspring. Women are no longer expected to follow therole of homemaker or be subordinate to her mate. However, beneath the manypositive changes in gender relationships in our culture over the past fiftyyears or so, men and women still have trouble relating harmoniously in avariety of spheres. Women do not get equal pay for equal work. Underlyingprejudices and stereotypes affect the perception of females in theworkplace, at home and in sporting arenas. The media is one of the mainculprits of this lack of total equality and harmony between the sexes.However, the media cannot be blamed, for the portrayal of women in mode
Stereotyping andprescribed roles will become clearer and less contradictory for both menand women if the sexual tension between the genders is openly discussed,acknowledged, and appreciated as part of the human condition. Many women even feel guilty at usurping the power andauthority of their male relatives, friends, or husbands. Onlyrecently have women's sexual urges been addressed as valid and as powerfulas men's. However, the double standard ofgender roles is only a symptom of the underlying sexual tension that causesmiscommunications between the sexes. Today, guys are supposed to be beer-guzzling and bread-winning while atthe same time sensitive, emotional, and nurturing. Similarly, women areexpected to be sultry and sexy and still fulfill the role of wife andmother. Countless relationships between people of the same gender alsosuffer due to power conflicts. While harmonious relationships are a result ofcompassion, compromise, empathy, and a host of other qualities that crossthe gender barrier, sexuality should still be acknowledged as a factor inmale-female interactions. However, the interactions betweenheterosexual men and women are made increasingly more complicated becauseof natural human sexuality. We treat those we are attracted to differently than those who we arenot at all interested in. Both sexes have a double standard of roles and stereotypes thatprevents otherwise harmonious interactions. Women are usually portrayed as prey rather than predator, as objectrather than protagonist in the sexual play. rntimes is actually far superior to what it once was and often shows femalesin powerful roles. Surrendering this power is painful and feels, for man men, likeit is wrong. Sexuality often ignored as a factor in genderpolitics.
Common topics in this essay:
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sexual tension,
women expected,
sexuality addressed,
sexual desires,
human sexuality,
power struggles,
gender roles,
total equality,
double standard,
workplace home,
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Acceptance Essays
