In this society, women are discriminated against in terms of WAGE: many jobs held by women are paid less than would be the case if it were a male. This is some relic form of punishment meted out for the sins of Eve in the Garden of Eden mythology. Women ate the apple, and ruined it for the boys.
Early human tribes were supported by hunters who were male. Women were left to gather and tend. The hunters were off bringing in food - but they had to be silent. The women on the otherhand could freely talk and exchange knowledge about cultivation techniques and healing, and after centuries of keeping what they learned and observed alive generation to generation amongst themselves came to acquire both knowledge and wisdom. This gave them POWER to heal and deal. Once society shifted from hunting to cultivation, women came to the fore (and this was prior to the advent of Christianity where women have always been second class citizens).
Before allopathic medicine reared its ugly and oft times useless head, the women *were* the medical profession. Once the AMA was formed, the first order of business was the outlawing of the Midwives and a loss of that power held for so long by Woman. Once the women were removed from their position of empowerment, male dominated factions have insured that it will remain so, despite the "womens revolution" and while giving lip service to the concept of "equality".
These two elements have set the course that history has flowed within in this country. The mental prototype was exploited by TV writers/advertisers who presented stereotyped images and force fed a generation addicted to TV, picked up and reinforced through state education although not always overtly. The popularity of John Wayne and Ernest Hemmingway went a long way into creating a male image that in most instances is impossible for most men to meet, but must be presented if one is to have a place in the herd - a horrible dichotomy where males must present in ways they do not feel and believe in order to avoid social rejection. In my case, I had to "learn" football to fit in with the construction company I was working for. I had to be "one of the guys" even though I have no interest in the sport. To this day I wonder if all the enthusiasts there well really all that enthused!
I worked for 6 years in an office of 35 women, and I was the only male. I can tell you from experience that the promotion of women by women is NOT frequently based on skill and ability, and from my experience men are more likely to promote women based on skill and not nose color.
Here the tide is turning again as women continue to dominate the work force (although still at lower wages). Oriental culture is far older and far more entrenched regarding the subservient treatment of their women. I would not care to be a woman in Japan.
Women should NOT be allowed in combat, and Rattler's example is right on. Men have an instinctive urge to protect woman, and this would affect every equation. You cant outthink instinct although many like to think they can!
On the other hand, men have paid *dearly* for their social control. There never was a "Men's Liberation" movement like we had for women in the 70's. Most men are raised to serve, work, suffer in silence and die. Men are not allowed to cry. Men are not allowed many of the enriching pleasures afforded to the fairer sex and are taught to amputate their sensibilities and pleasures. Women have a rich and ornamented life. Women get gifts like satin brocades, sweet candies, pretty flowers and gems. Men get tools. Women can touch, laugh, cry, sing, dance. If men do this they are looked upon as being queer and are Powerfully discriminated against (and very much so in the job market). Women have had the TIME to produce art and beauty - but it is a rare man that is happy if he isn't busy at the job. Most men just don't have anything to fill the space with except more work (I would think most males here on the forum are the exception to the rule and bet dimes to doughnuts they have been made to FEEL different too!). Even so, it is the rare ones that reject this overwhelming pressure and seize again the right to create, express, emote and enjoy - but they are the REAL men of courage and strength. We need to move on to where these qualities are NOT regarded as "effiminate". These are the birthright of both sexes. Without them, life is one long row to hoe.
So, it isn't all pretty for the men either. We make the big bucks, but you know, money isn't everything!
I don't know the pressures that shaped the Oriental cultures where for so long women were and are treated like cattle. HEre it was mythology and a dedicated attack by powerful male dominated financial interests that have produced the social inequality in what certainly should be a mutual partnership.
Men AREN'T from Mars, nor are Women from Venus! The apparent radical and special differences are only on the surface. As HUMAN BEINGS we need to become aware of this, and stop affirming (and thereby TEACHING) the nonsense that we are so different.
Those differences have been foisted onto us by Church, State and Media, and I 4 1 don't buy it! Now, where did I put my mascara?
Well Cindy, I hope you get your raise! It is safe to say that you are probably better at what you do than your male counterpart: women HAVE to try harder. It's a shame that they are not equally compensated for this effort.