Culturally, our view is still the traditional “man goes to work; woman raises children (though she can work too)”. With that in mind, you can’t blame companies for making more of an investment in the men, who will have very little excuse to leave the company, and usually have a family to support. Women married or not, could get pregnant at anytime and refuse to work or need maternity leave or just need more time off.
I would also like to say that I feel women are favored in the workforce sometimes. For example, my friend, a working mother, found someone to fill her shift in five minutes, so she could attend to her child’s illness. Her husband on the other hand, waited almost an hour. Women are given more flexibility, and I, being a woman, really appreciate that, more than I value money. Being daring here, I would say most women do.
It’s not a matter of inequality, because it’s not a question if we are equal. We are. We, being DIFFERENT, and having different priorities or needs, have different advantages and disadvantages. As long as this culture still believes in the traditional family, we will continue to have those responsibilities and drawbacks, as well as advantages. And that’s just fine with me.
Also, on a personal note, I feel that women are not just equal now, but SUPER women. Instead of just “anything a man can do, I can do too,” it’s “anything a man can do, I can do better!” I do not discourage someone who tries to advance herself and excels above a man, but they think beyond that. “I can be a great ____(professor, CEO, etc.) as well as keep house, raise children, finish my degree, fix household problems, keep up relationships, remember anything and everything….” The problem with that is, now women are breaking down. Their most important relationships are failing, children are unattended, their bodies are unhealthy, and their marriage is no longer a team, but an “I can do it all!” There was a reason the traditional family worked so well—we are able to get everything done, and keep all our bases covered, and yet still be stable and healthy. I think women need to slow down. We are equal. It’s okay.
Even in the event where a man is at home and a woman works—at least they’re working together. At least they’ve got all the bases covered. That’s what keeps a family together, and society needs the family to survive.
