Equality of the Sexes-Really?

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence : "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." No reasonable person would argue with the validity and sanctity of these words. Certainly the phrase "all men" refers to mankind, including that sector of humanity in possession of the 'XX' chromosome. Here, Here! and Hip Hip Hooray for equal jobs, equal pay, and equity of the sexes.

The Sexual Revolution of the sixties and seventies, a 'declaration' of its own sort, took equality a step further. In order for a woman to be equal she has to be identical to a man. Society accepted the idea that women and men are just alike. Humanity has become one big hoard of sameness. We are told females are the same as males. Boys are the same as girls. No difference. It is imperative a woman be endowed with the same capabilities, desires, gifts and offerings of her male counterpart. Equal, by its newer definition means, a woman has to 'pull her own weight'. I will take it one step further. There is a segment of our society touting girls as 'more equal' than boys. The platform being, 'anything a man can do I can do better.' Helen Reddy sings a catchy phrase, " I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman." Strong? Possibly. Invincible? Not! A woman is no more invincible than her male counterpart. After all, even Superman had an aversion to kryptonite. I am not denying that a woman can be faster,stronger and smarter than a man. I watch the 'Olympics', and 'Jeopardy' too. However, when did we become more than equal but superior.

" All men are created equal...endowed by their creator... " The Creator fashioned two separate but equal entities. We are created equal, but not identical. And here so to speak, is the proverbial 'rub'. Differences between men and women have been denied. In our denial women are confounded by the fact that men don't behave as women and men are bewildered that women are not behaving as men. Stop the madness. There is a uniqueness, individuality, and distinctiveness to gender that is not necessarily taught or learned.

The pursuit of equality has taken on a distorted function. In some respects women have lost opportunity, not because of the pursuit of equality but because of our obsession with sameness. For example, married women, being the same as married men are expected to work outside the home. The choice to raise children, run a house, and wait for her man to come home is not only old fashioned but slovenly. A woman must work in order to 'pull her weight' in the relationship. Think about those old 'black and white movies. When a young man wished to marry, it was necessary he have gainful employment, and aspirations that would support a wife and kids. These days a guy only has to have a job, maybe. His 'equal' counterpart will take up the slack. This is not an argument that women should stay out of the workplace. I am arguing that, in our zeal for sameness women have lost out on the deal. Equity has been compromised. Women are working more, not less. Eight hours at work is compounded by the work left at home. The average woman is still doing the house work, and is the primary caregiver. It is impossible to split duties right down the middle. It is magnanimous to proclaim at the beginning of a marriage that everything will be equal. It most often breaks down in the day to day. Why? Because a lot of men don't care if the house is just perfect, and most women do. Equity ? I think not.

By declaring the sexes to be identical, men become the standard by which a woman is measured. For example a woman is only strong enough, smart enough or capable when she is strong, and smart 'like a man'. It is unnecessary for a woman to be the mirror image of a man in order to be independent, capable and strong. A woman can stand all by herself, endowed by her own Creator, in her own creation. When will we embrace our differences and stop denying they exhist. We would be better off to do so. If men and women are identical in nature, behavior, and attitude, one of us is rendered ineffectual.