The Orbis

What is your first thought when someone calls you a "pussy" or a "bitch?"

These vulgarities certainly are not pleasant terms in our society; socially-evolved insults reflect weakness or meanness in their use. Why does our society feed off of such terms that equate femininity with weakness and sensitivity? The answer ultimately breaks down to both power and control.

Why in our society is it traditionally the woman's sole responsibility to take care of the house and the children? In many cultures, men are just as loving and nurturing of children as women.

The cleaning of the house is just as much the responsibility of the man as the woman. When a man chooses to help in household chores, we applaud him for his efforts toward "equality," but a woman never has the choice. If she doesn't do the work, then the work is not completed The expectation for a woman to manage household chores is unfair and is at the core of gender inequality in the United States.

Why does a man rape a woman? People often think that the answer is obvious: sex. However, statistics show that in only 30 percent of rape cases does a man reach orgasm. The goal of rape is not sex, but rather power. In 78 percent of rape cases, the woman knows the perpetrator. When we think of rape, we think of a scary man jumping out of a bush late at night; however, this is not typical of most rape cases. Rape is often not reported because the victim is in denial about the betrayal of being raped by an acquaintance. If and when she finally does tell someone there remains an aura of doubt and disbelief because other people don't believe that someone she knows and trusts could commit such a crime.

These scenarios cast clouds of self-doubt and only worsen the situation for the victim. Then, when society blames the victim for "asking" for sex, the double standard is once again set in motion. Women are seen as sex objects and even when they try to conform to this image of "sexy," they are blamed that they are raped because they were advertising that they "wanted sex." I believe we will start seeing an increased number of women reporting rape when society stops asking, "Did you say 'no' to sex?" and instead ask, "Did you say 'yes'?"

Before you make a comment about women or decide to pursue a woman, think about what the consequences of that statement or action are. We often don't think about how our statements and actions perpetuate violence against women and gender inequality.

It is time that we start looking at the root of the problem, the very basics. When we see how our everyday motions affect our society and take responsibility for changing those actions, only then can we truly address the issues of inequality.

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