You Should be Glad Women Want Equality - Not revenge

Bringing up topics like feminism, misogyny, gender equality, or male privilege often elicits an eye-roll or a sigh of 'here we go again.' But let's flip the script for a moment. Imagine if the shoe were on the other foot - wouldn't you feel similarly?

As a woman in the UK, I recognise that I enjoy certain rights - the ability to work, drive, and thankfully, instances of horrific practices like child brides or FGM are relatively rare here. It's baffling that some struggle to acknowledge their own privilege. When these discussions arise, it's not about devaluing men, but rather highlighting the ongoing struggle for women's equality, that more often than not are overlooked.

The Past Century

Over the past century, women have made significant strides, strides that seem to be forgotten are pretty recent.

From gaining the right to vote in 1918 to milestones like having the first female prime minister in 1979, access to contraception in 1961 (though only for single women until 1967), and breaking into traditionally male-dominated fields like firefighting 1982 and frontline military service 2017 or even something as simple as opening a bank account did not happen until 1975. These changes, achieved in the lifetimes of our parents and grandparents, are a testament to the tireless efforts of women who fought for progress. However, our work is far from over.

Despite these advancements, deep-rooted stereotypes, generations of misogyny, and unconscious biases persist, painting women as unequal to their male counterparts. We comprise 51% of the UK population, yet that representation is not reflected proportionally elsewhere. we have the audacity to keep demanding equality when “shouldn't we be glad we just have a seat at the table”

Would it make it clearer if we change the Gender?

When we continue to demand equality, it's not about entitlement but about striving for fairness. Let's not forget the disparities that still exist - some really simple examples (which to highlight i have swapped the gender... so maybe, just maybe it hits)

Blue Tax: Would you not be angry?

Blue Tax refers to the tendency for products marketed specifically toward men to be more expensive than those marketed toward women. For instance, items like razors, clothing, and personal care products often cost more for men despite being essentially similar in function and quality.

Crash test dummies: Would you not think something should be done?

Crash test dummies for cars are typically based on average female bodies, which could explain why men are 73 percent more likely to be injured in frontal road collisions. This discrepancy highlights a serious oversight in safety testing, putting men at a higher risk of injury in car accidents.

Medication trials: Surely someone would have changed this  by now?

Despite the glaring physiological differences between men and women, much of medical research is based on female bodies and experiences. This oversight in clinical trials can lead to ineffective or harmful treatments for men , putting their health at risk.

Domestic duties: How unfair.

Men often bear a disproportionate burden of domestic duties compared to women, including household chores, childcare, and eldercare. This unequal distribution of responsibilities can limit mens opportunities for career advancement and personal fulfilment.

Office temperature: Just put on a coat and stop complaining?

Office temperatures are often set based on the metabolic rates of women leaving many men feeling uncomfortable or even cold in their workplace environments. This seemingly minor issue reflects broader systemic biases that prioritise female comfort and needs over those of men .

So now I ask you this - If you were in the shoes of the oppressed gender, wouldn't you feel the same? Wouldn't you keep the pursuit of equality.

Yours sincerely

A proud feminist.