Throughout history, there has always been a line drawn between men and women. Sexist "facts" created through questionable "sciences" are often used to justify the objectification and degradation of women. These "scientific facts" created a foundation for the sexist expectations, societal values, and unfair treatment of women in the world we live in today. Additionally, there are numerous "facts" created through sciences to legitimize ideologies in support of women of color as inferior.
These questionable "sciences" have shaped my life and continues to shape my life. Growing up, the values of women being pleasing and fragile were upheld. I was not allowed to climb trees with my brother, as it was not "feminine" and instead I was encouraged to play within the house. I was also discouraged from engaging in physical activities, such as sports. Not only was I discouraged by the people around me but also through the media, societal values were upheld, and only men were shown to be successful in professional sports. Therefore, I never really engaged in sports or attempted to play sports competitively. This is just a simple example.
In many aspects of life whether it is one's capability, opportunity of obtaining a position of power, or even the way one dress themselves or act is based off one's sex and the societal values that are upheld.
This is very interesting, Krtisty. I can definitely relate to the women of color as being seen as less than every one else as I have experienced quite a bit of racial discrimination. And even though I have been treated unfairly due to the fact that I'm a woman, I had the opposite when it came to sports. I played quite literally every sport out there, I'm a 5th degree black belt and even played on a boys soccer team in high school. Do you ever wish you had been able to try sports?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that the way women are portrayed and how we are expected to act is ridiculous and unfair. And being a woman of color is just twice as hard.