Equality

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December 11, 2017, Prescott-

I just made my final statement, in an ongoing discussion with a “traditionalist”.  He says that true equality between men and women can never happen, because “we are each what the other isn’t.”

This take on things uses truisms, to construct a false dichotomy.  He states that no two people have the same skills, or even interests.  I concur.   We can all agree that no two people even have the same fingerprints, or identical DNA.

This, however, is where the notion that equal means identical must be met, and discarded.  I regard equality as a match in opportunity, status and reward, for the same abilities and efforts.  There should be no “glass ceiling”.

Opportunity is the big one.  A woman who has the ability to run a multinational corporation, rebuild an automotive engine, pilot a rocket ship or stare down a tyrant, should be given full rein.  The compensation should be the same as for a man.

Goodness knows, I was given this lecture, in 1970, by a hardknocks Army sergeant, who I would have thought would be the last person to challenge anyone’s lingering sexist bias.  It changed my own 20-year old’s view of how women should be treated in the workplace, and for all eternity.  I wasn’t a pig, mind you, but there was an attitude that a man should be in charge of a work station.  I am glad to have been rid of that, these past 47 years.

My late wife was my full partner, and yes, was everything I was not- and vice versa.  That’s what makes a full partnership work.  My women friends enrich my life in ways that “the guys” can’t, and vice versa.  This is what makes for a salubrious social network.

So, yes, we will never be identical.  All the same, I never want to go back to a world where we men must make all the decisions, garner all the honours and rewards and never have to rein in our egos.  That, to me, would be a vast, screaming desert.

 

23 thoughts on “Equality”

  1. Wise words. I’m not a lesbian, but I’m more of a man in the world than a woman. I dress like a woman, but I have a life more like a man’s. I do guy things. I look for a friend in relationships, though I’ve decide to abstain for the rest of my adult life, as I’m disabled, but, when I did date, I dated friends, not providers. It’s how the cookie crumbles for me.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Very wise words, Gary. However, your second to the last sentence…”we never have to go back”…in my opinion, we are not out of the woods yet. I know you know that!

    Liked by 2 people

  3. We are each what the other isn’t? I can’t even make sense of that statement. There is only one thing I can think of in which that statement even makes sense, and biology is too small an issue for me. Unless this traditionalist (I assume male) means he is close minded and women are not. (And more than a few men, as well.)

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I was thinking that you and JE both had interesting conversations yesterday. Now I see that it all came from the same conversation. “No one has denied opportunity for a long time, but you will admit that standards have been lowered in the name of inclusion and opportunity. ” I thought that was a heckuva thing to say. Wrong.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. I love especially this part: “This, however, is where the notion that equal means identical must be met, and discarded. I regard equality as a match in opportunity, status and reward, for the same abilities and efforts. There should be no “glass ceiling”.”

    Both genders should be given the same opportunities, however, at the same time, I think both genders should also accept not being able to do the same. Somethings men are more capable and vice versa. Although, now I write this…maybe it is about one’s talents or physical capabalities, etc. no matter the gender. Hm. You’ve definitely got me thinking 🙂
    XxX

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