Equal Treatment for Men and Women

We live in a world were once people were judged for things they of themselves could not control race, ethnicity, belief, and gender. In the past few centuries, history has proven that what you believe should not inhibit how you are treated, that race and how you look is no grounds for segregating a person, and all genders should be treated equally. Each of these arguments came at a great cost to the people who believed in their cause and had hope for a brighter day.

Today we see some of the evidence of how these views have risen above their doubters, but still we feel the need to defend our continual rights in a world that claims that this is enough. Today we live in a world were beliefs in most countries are all treated equally and people are given some form of a religious freedom. People still are judged based on how they look but there is more tolerance towards those that are different. Women are also able to receive more equality in free countries than ever before and we by chance live in a world that has grown to be on the side of the feminist.

Women in the past pushed for equal rights and votes as men today we want equal pay and treatment as our masculine counterparts. The argument is constantly made that anything a man can do a woman can do better. But with this push does this mean that women are losing what makes them unique and degrading the men in our lives at the same time. Women for years have been known for their delicacy, which is not a favorable description anymore, as well as their femininity. In fact if a person is viewed as too feminine it is degrading even to a girl.

What does it really mean to be feminine and to be masculine and what effect does this ultimately have on our personal perceptions of self not to mention a political and social view? The textbook definition of feminine is really sweet. Feminine is having qualities or an appearance traditionally associated with women, especially delicacy and prettiness. Even the definition of being feminine eludes to the fact that girls are first pretty but also are delicate in nature. On first reading this you might be a little upset if you are a hardcore feminist. Every woman will admit that this a part of her and will also admit that there is so much more to her. 

On the flip side men are constantly on the receiving end of such torment and distrust simply for the fact that they are men and have always been seen as the abusers and the enemy of women. I have personally known many men who are amazing men and perhaps this is why I have so much faith and determination to understand them for who they are. Men are described as being masculine and 'should' seek to be this way. To be masculine is having qualities or appearance traditionally associated with men, especially strength and aggressiveness.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we believe in a document called the Family: A Proclamation to the World teaches some distinct things about gender and about the roles that men and women play in raising children and a world like ours today. The Proclamation states: "Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. . . By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." This may be an affront to a few people however this is based upon the ideal. Not every family is like this but it could and I believe that it is what a majority of people would like. 

Men and women are born with distinct differences so that they may do different things. Some men are good strong and hard working and some woman are caring nurturing and intuitive to the needs of her children as well those close to her. 

Men and women are different and they are meant for different things but that doesnt mean that men can't do what women do and women can't do what men do. Our differences in fact make us equal and our differences enable us better work together to become the best individuals, society, and people we can be. 

Link to The Family: A Proclamation to the World. https://www.lds.org/study/ensign/2017/05/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng