GENDER, WHAT DOES IT MEAN? ITS NOT ONLY WOMEN

Hi my friends,

When asking people what the word gender means, often the first reaction is: ‘gender is women’. This probably stems from the fight of the first feminists to draw attention to women’s issues and rights. However, gender is not only about women. The following poem could be helpful in understanding the concept of gender.

For Every Woman

By Nancy R. Smith

For every woman who is tired of acting weak

when she knows she is strong,

There is a man who is tired of appearing strong

when he feels vulnerable.

For every woman who is tired of acting dumb,

There is a man who is burdened with the constant

expectation of “knowing everything.”

For every woman who is tired of being called

“an emotional female”

There is a man who is denied the right to weep and be gentle.

For every woman who feels “tied down” by her children,

There is a man who is denied the full pleasure of parenthood.

For every woman who is denied meaningful employment

and equal pay,

There is a man who must bear full financial responsibility for

another human being.

For every woman who was not taught the intricacies

of an automobile,

There is a man who was not taught the satisfaction of cooking.

For every woman who takes a step toward her own liberation,

There is a man who finds that the way to freedom

has been made a little easier.

I hope you enjoyed reading this poem.