Have women in this country truly gained equality, compared with the status of males and the distribution of power, or are women still lagging behind males in regards to true eqaulity?

-- Anonymous, February 19, 2000

Answers

I beleive the word "equality" is difficult to quantify and make direct comparisons, like 50% to 50% in regards to gender differences. I think we can say things have gotten much better for women, but to say things are equal would be truly naive.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000

I don't think my question was completely answered. To me the answer is no. Look at levels of local, state and federal government; look at business leaders and civic comittees. Women and minorities still take a backseat to the white male population because of the strangle hold on power they possess. Until there is a truly united cause, women and minorities will continue to be in the background.

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000

This isn't an answer, but an opinion that I choose to share.

The ignorant white male will never give up any percentage of his holdings until the life is forcibly taken from his body through his chest wall with the aid of a sharp knife. And then, whatever is produced will be pounced upon by the remaining unenlightened white males of the world.

Please note I said "ignorant", which I used to except those who don't qualify. My apologies if my words were taken wrong by any white males in class who have made the decision to hold all people as peers. I'm hoping there're more of you out there than Ben to be counted. To those of you who have, I'm sure you've found life among my gender more harmonious. To those of you who possibly haven't, there are women in this world who are somberly nodding thier heads about the sharp knife.

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2000

I don't think that women have gained absolute equality, but I also don't think that deep down we really want TRUE equality. We have the right to do what we want and there is nothing really to stop us unless it is unlawful, but we chose not to HAVE to do things that men have to do. For example, men are required to register with the selective service at the age of 18, but as an 18 year old female, I have no such requirements. If true and real equality were ever achieved, I think that it would be argued that we are being forced to do things that we don't want to do. Women ARE different than men and I think that we should be treated that way. Let women do the "guy" things they deem necessary, but also give us the option. I think that the old fashioned chivalry in men is becoming a dying thing and that is aweful. If it were up to me it would be the 50's all over again and women would stay home and cook and clean and take care of the children while the men were out making a living for his family. Don't misunderstand, I intend to be a career woman, but if it were realistic I would love to stay at home and let my husband do the out- of-home work while I was the housewife and mother.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2000

I've tried to awnser this question about 4 times and have just been confusing myself beyond belief, but hopefully 5th times a charm, so here's what I've come up with:

1) I like that I can go be a stage manager (a job a woman couldn't posses 20 years ago) with out many worries about discrimination.

2) I don't like that I will be looked down on if I choose to become a homemaker rather than persue a job.

3) I don't like that women are expected to be "super women" and have to keep all the resposibilities women had before there was womens lib, while gaining the reposibilities of a man.

4) I don't like that I will be thought of as inept if I don't do #3.

4) I'm glad I don't have to sign up for the draft, and believe that although we will never gain complete euality, we will be forced into doing several things we don't want to in its name.

5) I don't like that men no longer treat women with the same respect they once did. I don't want to be treated like a man because I'm not one.

Conclusion: Women will never gain equality with men simple because we are not equal, but very different. We have more freedom to do more things than ever, but we also now have to do more things than ever. I'm glad I can go pursue the career I want but sad that I HAVE to. And I do not care how old fassioned it sounds my date will still open doors, offer me there arms, and walk on the outside of the sidewalk. They will also not expect me to go dutch if they want to get a 2nd date. (Although the last part was ment to be funny, it is true)

-- Anonymous, February 17, 2001