Ah.. the first argument with myself..

Since I lack someone to argue with... I'll argue with myself!

"Even if there have been significant improvements in the empowerment of women through the process of democratization world wide, still only 10% of the members of the legislative bodies of countries globally are held by women, far less than the 30% quota set by the Economic and Social Council in 1995. Similarly with women’s ability to be employed, in countries world wide women’s ability to participate in decision-making is burdened with various family and home related responsibilities. In some cases this is simply a matter of personal choice, but in many cases this burden is institutional and systematic in nature, and reflects to the overall oppressing attitude towards women."

That is a cut'n'paste from what I am reading at the moment. And it Does NOT make me a happy camper. It's nothing wrong with this quotation - part from the fact that it is but Oh So TRUE!

One of the biggest womens rights issues in industrial countries are the fact that children will take on the view of women as it is presented in their home. Now, if "ma" does everything, brings her husband food by the telly, do the laundry, works fulltime, help the kids with schoolwork - and walk the dog. Not to mention does all the shopping, cleaning and weeding. And "dad" sits by the telly saying little or nothing at all... What does -that- teach our kids? It teaches them the old, overrated genderbased roles in a family. And it -will- affect the kids. When a girl is about 10-12 years old, in an industrial country, she's supposed to go with ma. Shopping, doing dishes, helping with the cooking, folding clothes. What does the son do? Sit by the telly with dad? Have "father and son relationship day" and goes fishing? Bondingtime with dad means: playing basketball. Bondingtime with "ma" means: doing dishes and gossiping about who's dating who in school.

The roles based on genders start at an early age. Makeup as gifts for the young daughter, and a Tractor for the boy. A cellphone for the girl, a toolkit for the boy. A pink dress with laces for the girl, a baseballcap and a baseballbat for the boy.

Now, don't come and tell me that That isn't stating the genderbased familyroles at an early age!

A "good girl" don't curse. A "Good girl" don't spit. A "Good girl" keeps her knees together and wear skirts, even when it's way below zero. A "Good girl" wears makeup, a "Good girl" does this and does that.

While a boy is NOT allowed to wear skirts (oh my god, someone might think he's GAY!) a Good Boy will whack someone who whacked him. Let me ask you - how many know of parents that taught their sons to fistfight? I know a bunch... How many of you know a GIRL that got the same lesson? I know one - ME. And that was my mother teaching me.

How can we sit and get appauled by women like Paris Hilton on tv - when That is what we Teach our daughters to become?

I'd like to know, how the -heck- we can consider ourselfs EQUAL when we teach our daughters to be manipulative, shallow and to -not- defend themselves?

It all starts with "ma" and "dad".

Thank you Ma for teaching me all the things you've taught me throug the years!