#2

The standing of women in society has changed drastically over the ages. Their progress is especially astonishing in the past century; women have been empowered in many ways, possessing educational opportunities deemed impossible in the past. Women have now become major players in the various industries, from the male-dominated financial world to the elegant arts. Gone are the days where women were expected to stay home and look after the children; the women of today have become ultra-competitive individuals enjoying the same privileges as their male counterparts, and are no longer deemed as subservient beings who obey their husband’s every whim and fancy.

The change in the role of women in politics has been nothing short of astounding. Once politically dormant members of society, women now possess important political positions. For example, Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady, was a presidential candidate in the 2008 elections and now holds the position of Secretary of State in the U.S Cabinet. In the same election, Alaskan governor Sarah Palin was also a vice-president candidate in Mr John McCain’s presidential campaign. This is a vast improvement from a few decades ago in the 1960s, where less than 10% of politicians were female. Across the globe in China, 32% of the 73.36 million members of the Chinese Communist Party are female, and the number of female members is still constantly growing. Again, this is a stark contrast from the patriarchal history of ancient China, where most of the Emperors were men and women were at the lowest level of the social caste; women were considered to be the property of their parents before marriage, property of their husbands after marriage and then the property of their sons and mothers-in-law after their spouse has passed on. This constant degradation and objectification of women were one of the major factors which led to the countless feminist movements over the ages. With the many feminist movements in the 20th century, women began to fight for their rights and this inevitably gave women the brilliant idea of foraging into the realms of politics; if several females could be elected into the legislation, wouldn’t the discriminatory policies towards women be changed? Another reason for the increased participation in politics by women is because they want to prove to the men that women can be smart, savvy and capable too. After centuries of physical and physiological humiliation by the men, it is time for the women to show the males that they were every bit as, if not more, capable than men.

Women have also made fearsome progress on a economic level. Women were once thought to be too incompetent to work; women now almost have a level playing field with men. Take for example our own Singapore’s Olivia Lum, CEO of Hyflux Corporation. Or perhaps Elim Chew, founder of the popular streetwear accessory chain 77th street which boasts 13 stores island-wide; it has since become a global business, with the 77 Group Corporation even setting up a underground shopping complex called 77th Street Plaza in the prestigious Xidan Cultural Central in Beijing. On the international level, Indra Nooyi, an Indian female, is currently the CEO of Pepsi Co. In fact, during her reign as CFO, the company’s revenue has increased 72% while net profits have more than doubled. This shows that the economy does not rest solely on the shoulders of men now; women are now surpassing their counterparts in various male-dominated industries. As canvassed previously, the main reason for women’s newfound corporate importance is education.

Through education have they realized that they have the capability to do what the men do; through education have they gained the essential knowledge and skills for success in the corporate environment. Consequently, the role of women economically will continue to grow as they become influential people in the various industries.

Socially, women seem to have progressed by leaps and bounds. Women in urban areas have experienced drastic, positive changes in their social status. Gone are the days when they had to make sandwiches for their husbands on command like robots and were subjected to many forms of abuse. In China, for example, the cruel practice of foot-binding so prevalent in feudal China has been banned by law. Women, in their clothing and fashion, are no longer restricted by severe societal laws as they strut around in provocative outfits. Forced marriages are officially illegal and Chinese women now pick their husbands instead. As women become financially independent, they are no longer dependent on their spouses for a living and have gradually gained an equal say in the household. Women are no longer considered as objects for the mens’ pleasure; women sometimes even dominate men verbally and physically.

The points stated above are not to say that gender equality has been achieved - it would be foolish and naive to think so. In rural areas, especially in China, gender stereotypes are still prevalent. Boys are still preferred to girls, as they are able to help out in labour and carry on the family name. The killing of baby girls in rural villages is as common a sight as it was centuries ago. In the urban society, men are considered ‘wussies’ if they become ‘dominated’ by their wives. Let us ask ourselves this- if gender equality has been achieved, why are men regarded as cowards if they do not dare to oppose their wives? If women are of equal status as men, why are women not considered cowards if they are meek and obedient towards their husbands? From this we see a stark revelation which shatters the facade of gender equality- men are still considered to be superior over women, and men are ‘supposed’ to be the one in charge in a relationship.

I would also like to propose the idea that gender equality is taking a step backwards in the 21st century as the concept of gender equality has been warped to a large extent. Now, in modern society, women have to gain respect by doing the same things as MEN. Those who continue to engage in the basic roles of women i.e. housekeeping, raising the children etc. are regarded as slackers. This then leads me to ask - if women have to do what MEN do in order to gain social status and respect, haven't they unconsciously lost their feminine identities?

Let me raise an analogy to racial equality. Racial equality does not mean that an Indian should stop making his roti-prata and chapatis and start making Chinese cuisine to gain respect from the Chinese society; it means that the Indians, or whatever race, should be respected for the culture and traits unique to them, and that they should have the same opportunities as people of other races. If they stop making chapatis, an important part of the Indian identity would be lost.

Similarly, gender equality entails that women should have treated the same way as men, and most importantly, are respected for whatever they do, be it being a housewife or a corporate employee. When they start to emulate men, they lose their feminine identities. The whole point of the earlier feminist movements were to ensure that women had the same choices and opportunities as men; it did not mean however that women HAD TO engage in 'manly activities' to be respected. Therefore, I feel that in this modern society where women need to do what the men do for the sole sake of proving to the men that they can do what the men do to gain respect, women of both countries have not progressed in terms of gender equality, but have unknowingly taken a step backwards as they try to outdo the men.

To conclude, this week's tutorial has really opened my eyes to the issue of feminism. Like many of my friends, I had the notion that feminism was a thing of the past and not really a issue in modern society. After all, living in politically stagnant Singapore, we have never encountered any radical feminists putting up demonstrations for the betterment of female rights. Through this tutorial, I have learnt the changing roles of women from past to present, and it is a very interesting topic indeed.