Page 102 - Masala E-magazine Vol 9 Issue 2 October - November 2017

Hot Pot

Can men and

women truly be equal?

University student Praphanit Doowa addresses the controversial question that
plagues modern society.

Boys can throw further. Boys can punch they were turned away because it was not well, a boy can’t chop vegetables properly or
harder. Boys can run faster. But what tting for a woman to do so, or because a girl can’t kick that hard, it’s okay as long as
about girls? it was deemed unattractive to men. But they tried and were supported. Support goes
today’s research shows that women can a long way when it’s given genuinely without
From a young age, girls are traditionally successfully exceed, or be equal to men, in the underlying thoughts that a boy can’t
taught to believe that they are physically their academic pursuits and sports. And, it’s do what a girl can do, and vice versa. And
disadvantaged in comparison to boys. not that girls’ natural biological abilities are trust me, even though those thoughts may
This may be so biologically, as women, suddenly increasing and changing over the not be expressed out loud, they are there,
on average, have less total body mass years, but rather it is because some people’s overwhelmingly present and de nitely not
and muscles than men, while men have mentality have changed. unnoticed if you pay attention.
more testosterone, giving them dense and
stronger bones, ligaments and tendons. But It’s not a physical change that was made, Did you know that in 2004, Spain initiated a
this doesn’t make the average girl weak. but a mental one. This needs reminding and law in the Rights and Duties of Children Bill
support, and it begins from a young age and that “the co-responsibility in caring for the
In fact, women produce more antibodies at home. home and performing household tasks” shall
than men and have more white blood cells, be carried out “regardless of... gender”. How
which allow them to develop fewer infectious Parents. They are a child’s rst human often do you see a boy in our community
diseases and live longer. So girls aren’t interaction; their rst teachers. Children clean the dishes, mop the oor or serve
exactly physically weak. mimic actions and behaviours, but they also chai to guests? The implanted notion that
mimic ways of thinking. Gender stereotypes these chores are considered “women’s work”
As a girl, I can’t tell you how many times I are rooted into a child even before they further promotes that men aren’t suited for
have been told that I can’t jump as high, run can begin to understand what the objects the role. Any logical reason why? Not really,
as fast or kick as hard as a boy. It all has to do around them mean. We hear parents tell as both men and women should be able
with muscles: building muscles to do what their daughters not to get messy in the to play the role of housekeeping, whether
a boy can do. But then once you get those mud, and hear them tell their sons to not you’re in or out of the house.
muscles, those thunder thighs, those broad play with Barbie dolls. Seemingly harmless,
shoulders, you look “manly”. You’re shaped these remarks cause stereotypes, which Be aware of these stereotypes that may
like a boy all of a sudden and that “doesn’t encourage distinctive roles that boys and seem small, but in reality have a very
look good”. So how does a girl win? How does girls “have to” play for the rest of their lives. profound in uence. I didn’t acknowledge for
she get to believe that she can run that fast a long time that there were concealed ideas
and still look “like a girl”? Why can’t a boy play with a Barbie? Why can’t about how I, as a girl, am meant to behave.
a girl kick a ball in mud? Now that I witness these acts, I hope that no
“My beautiful daughter. My smart son.” You’ll boy or girl should fall under a category of their
hear parents use these innocent terms of The purpose of this piece isn’t to preach on sex. Always remember that you are beyond it
endearment, but it’s that naivety that makes behalf of women, but instead promote gender and you are capable for more, no matter what
girls believe that they are less smart than equality. Starting from home. you are told.
boys, and boys believe that a girl’s physical
appearance really matters. Males and females should be treated equally.
Their appearances shouldn’t be the reason Hot Pot is a regular Masala feature,
This mentality of gender inequality goes why one sex is favoured over the other for a where you talk and we listen.
beyond physicality. certain academic subject, sport or job. At a Send us your personal stories at
young age, every child should be able to nd info@masalathai.com and get
Historically, whenever women would try to out their potential as well as their limitations. published in an upcoming issue.
excel in studies or pursue further education, If a boy can’t throw as far, a girl can’t cook as

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