Sexism and Sexual Assault

To show a weaker individual respect is one of the noblest acts I can think of. It’s unfortunate to admit that in most countries around the world, it is women who are usually categorized as the weaker of the sexes. This isn’t only because of the obvious physical differences between men and women, but because of the lack of equal opportunities whether they be educational, professional, or political. This gap between the opportunities and rights provided to men and women is not only an issue we see in third world countries, but is a notion that exists in post industrial countries as well. This can be seen through the difference in wages and through the sexualization of women in return for profit.

But one of the most degrading and demeaning forms of sexism comes in the shape of sexual assault, both physical and verbal. Unfortunately I have experienced both and know exactly how it feels to be reduced to nothing in the eyes of creatures that hold zero respect for their female counterparts. Nothing except breasts and a behind that is. It is one thing to be attracted to an individual, but another to make them victim to your uncontrolled and animalistic behavior. I’ve been followed and grabbed by strangers. I’ve also been the target of disgusting verbal advances. I don’t know many girls who can safely and confidently say they’ve never been subjected to either and it makes me wonder why so many women have to live with such painful memories.

The reason I tie the issue of sexual assault and sexism is simple. If you were to respect an individual for their intellectuality, creativity and personality, you would never put them in a position where they would fall victim to your unwanted advances. You would value their character and integrity far too much to even think about putting them through such painful experiences. It’s not about what a woman wears that forces some men to take advantage of her. It’s a predator’s ignorance and lack of respect for the opposite sex. In many cultures women are still seen as inferior to men. Women are there for men’s sexual pleasure and their need to pass down their genes to other offspring who may inherit the same lack of respect for women. They cycle is ongoing and hard to break in countries where education is sparse.

Teaching men how to value women is not the only solution though. Many times women start to believe that they are in fact less important than men as a result of their culture. Women too need to be educated because without an education, there is little room for improvement. An education leads to job opportunities, which later leads to independence from a male provider.  This dependence has created a relationship between men and women where women have to sacrifice their goals, needs, and desires in return for their survival. Without a man there’s no income and without income there’s little room for anything else.  

It’s hard for me to comprehend why in the 21^st century there are still people, both male and female, who believe one sex is superior to the other.  It’s even more baffling to think that in a country where freedom and individuality are valued, the words “female” and “feminist” are used as insults. I, myself, have been insulted by a person who thought that being called female was apparently something that would insult a woman, and that being a feminist was somehow synonymous for stubborn and “won’t ever get married”. I’ve even been told that independent women are the cause of failed marriages. To see that these ideas exist in a so called advanced country is worrisome because of the implications it holds in regards to how women in less advanced countries are being treated. This universal culture of sexism is an injustice to both men and women. Yes there are some things that women are better at taking care of than men and vice versa because of our physical and psychological make-up, but we cannot settle for anything less than equality between all people regardless of gender, race, religion or ethnicity when it comes to respect and opportunity.