To create a sustainable world it's essential that women have 100 percent parity with men. Religion or culture is NEVER an excuse to subjugate women.
The Abrahamic religions are obsessed with women control. Ever since I was a youngster I thought it was unfair that women had all these dress rules, and men had far fewer. Women are required to wear burkas, or can only wear dresses, etc... The rationale, I guess, is that these dress rules make God happy and help horny men to control themselves (yeah, right).
In the Bible, Mary Magdalene played a prominent role in Jesus's ministry. But fast forward in the New Testament and you find the misogynist Paul turning women into second class citizens. By golly, Paul wanted those women quiet and submissive, and this attitude is still permeated into our culture today.
Equal Rights Amendment
When I was 13 the ERA debate was in full swing. Congress had finally passed it and it was time for the states to ratify it. Thirty-eight states must ratify it to become a constitutional amendment. Finally, Illinois, the 37th state, approved it last May. This has always blown my mind because all the amendment says is: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
There I was, an idealistic 8th grader, sitting in class one day during a discussion on the ERA. I remember Chuck, who sat on the front row and was not going to have it. Since Chuck threatened to turn me into a pretzel a few times, I wasn't going to challenge him. But in the back of my mind I thought, "There is absolutely no reason why women shouldn't have 100% equality with men."
Years later I put this belief into action by volunteering for Planned Parenthood. One evening as I was leaving an event, a staff member said to me, "It's wonderful that you are doing this for your daughters." What? That thought had never occurred to me. I simply work for women's rights because it's the right thing to do. Patriarchy disgusts me.
Evolutionary History
Now, before we come down too hard on patriarchy, let's look at our human history. At one time the system might have been necessary to ensure that women focused on child birthing and rearing. In those days, it was quite a feat to get a baby to reproduction age, especially for boys who were regularly slaughtered in wars.
But patriarchy has outlived its usefulness, and our human population is now exploding. In fact, humanity has more than doubled in my lifetime. Yet, male domination is still perpetuated through ancient religions and obsolete cultural memes.
Sustainability & Equality
I find that the best indicator for determining the sustainability and maturity level of a country is by the percentage of women in a nation's parliament. If you look at the graphic below, Western Europe, Scandinavia, southern Africa, and much of Latin America are doing great. Other nations are lagging either because of backward religions or the culture of "machoism."
We like to think that the United States is an advanced nation, but we really are a backwards place, mainly because of conservative religion. Our percentage of women in the House of Representatives is only 19.4%, which is a reflection of our still-sexist culture. A more unpleasant indicator are all the sexual harassment cases that continually make the news. The U.S. still has a ways to go in respecting women and treating them as true equals.
When I was 13 the ERA debate was in full swing. Congress had finally passed it and it was time for the states to ratify it. Thirty-eight states must ratify it to become a constitutional amendment. Finally, Illinois, the 37th state, approved it last May. This has always blown my mind because all the amendment says is: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
There I was, an idealistic 8th grader, sitting in class one day during a discussion on the ERA. I remember Chuck, who sat on the front row and was not going to have it. Since Chuck threatened to turn me into a pretzel a few times, I wasn't going to challenge him. But in the back of my mind I thought, "There is absolutely no reason why women shouldn't have 100% equality with men."
Years later I put this belief into action by volunteering for Planned Parenthood. One evening as I was leaving an event, a staff member said to me, "It's wonderful that you are doing this for your daughters." What? That thought had never occurred to me. I simply work for women's rights because it's the right thing to do. Patriarchy disgusts me.
Evolutionary History
Now, before we come down too hard on patriarchy, let's look at our human history. At one time the system might have been necessary to ensure that women focused on child birthing and rearing. In those days, it was quite a feat to get a baby to reproduction age, especially for boys who were regularly slaughtered in wars.
But patriarchy has outlived its usefulness, and our human population is now exploding. In fact, humanity has more than doubled in my lifetime. Yet, male domination is still perpetuated through ancient religions and obsolete cultural memes.
Sustainability & Equality
I find that the best indicator for determining the sustainability and maturity level of a country is by the percentage of women in a nation's parliament. If you look at the graphic below, Western Europe, Scandinavia, southern Africa, and much of Latin America are doing great. Other nations are lagging either because of backward religions or the culture of "machoism."
We like to think that the United States is an advanced nation, but we really are a backwards place, mainly because of conservative religion. Our percentage of women in the House of Representatives is only 19.4%, which is a reflection of our still-sexist culture. A more unpleasant indicator are all the sexual harassment cases that continually make the news. The U.S. still has a ways to go in respecting women and treating them as true equals.
If you are a father with daughters, you should make it clear to them that they can become a president, astronaut, or anything they want. If you promote submissiveness and second class citizenship to your daughter, then you are a weenie.
In regards to marriage, a marriage is a partnership and team. Both the man and woman should have equal say in any decision. If a husband thinks he's in charge because "he's the man of the house," don't put up with that crap. It's pure mythology.
Back in my church going days I attended one church that had women on its leadership team, and no one thought twice about it. At the last church where I was a member, it was men only. I found this insulting and it's part of the reason why I left. Many conservative churches still do not allow women in a senior leadership position, which I find pathetic. If you are a woman and feel uncomfortable with this, LEAVE that church.
Conclusion
I believe that the population explosion is the greatest threat to our planet. But, remarkably, the tools to solve this problem have been built into us all along. All we need to do is treat women as 100% equals. Some women will still want to have children, while others will pursue their dreams to become a doctor, lawyer, or small business owner. The result will be a lower birthrate. The second thing that's essential for a sustainable plant is universal access to birth control. Every woman should have the ability to control the timing and number of their births, or even the decision to have no kids.
Education and equal opportunities must be made available to every girl in the world. Patriarchy, misogyny, chauvinism, and sexism all show the insecurity and inadequacy of men. Get it together guys, and grow up!
In the end, I'd like to see every nation in the chart above as "dark green," which means that a nation's parliament is at least 50% female. This is a sign of a healthy country and the positive message that it sends will trickle into all aspects of society. In the end, we will have a more balanced world where every girl has just as much value and respect as any boy.
Map Credit: Inter-Parliamentary Union
Photo: Seth Doyle
In regards to marriage, a marriage is a partnership and team. Both the man and woman should have equal say in any decision. If a husband thinks he's in charge because "he's the man of the house," don't put up with that crap. It's pure mythology.
Back in my church going days I attended one church that had women on its leadership team, and no one thought twice about it. At the last church where I was a member, it was men only. I found this insulting and it's part of the reason why I left. Many conservative churches still do not allow women in a senior leadership position, which I find pathetic. If you are a woman and feel uncomfortable with this, LEAVE that church.
Conclusion
I believe that the population explosion is the greatest threat to our planet. But, remarkably, the tools to solve this problem have been built into us all along. All we need to do is treat women as 100% equals. Some women will still want to have children, while others will pursue their dreams to become a doctor, lawyer, or small business owner. The result will be a lower birthrate. The second thing that's essential for a sustainable plant is universal access to birth control. Every woman should have the ability to control the timing and number of their births, or even the decision to have no kids.
Education and equal opportunities must be made available to every girl in the world. Patriarchy, misogyny, chauvinism, and sexism all show the insecurity and inadequacy of men. Get it together guys, and grow up!
In the end, I'd like to see every nation in the chart above as "dark green," which means that a nation's parliament is at least 50% female. This is a sign of a healthy country and the positive message that it sends will trickle into all aspects of society. In the end, we will have a more balanced world where every girl has just as much value and respect as any boy.
Map Credit: Inter-Parliamentary Union
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