Equal Rights for Women

After hearing Dr. Syrett’s lecture on the Equal Rights Amendment, I did a lot of thinking about the equality women have strived for, whether it’s in politics, the workplace, or society in general. As much progress as women have made, one thing that struck me was that women still don’t have the ability to make their own decisions regarding their life without criticism or disapproval from society. The idea that women have a responsibility to stay at home with their kids is an antiquated belief but one that is still very relevant to today’s society. Many women are raised to believe that their main goal in life is to get married and be a mother. If they choose to deviate from that plan, they may have the right to but that doesn’t mean there won’t be societal repercussions. It amazes me that in a constantly evolving world, we can still think of women as somehow inferior to men. However, when I see women like Sarah Palin promoting the “hockey mom” image, I see that women themselves can be perpetuating their own problem. It’s not that I disagree with what she believes in; it’s the fact that she is promoting the idea that this is how women should be. As opposed to embracing the idea that each woman is an individual and individuals are different, she is promoting the stereotype that all women are hockey or soccer moms. I find it funny that she complains about the sexism she endures on the campaign trail, which is valid, yet she is unable to distinguish herself as anything but a “typical mom”. I believe women like Sarah Palin, who promote conformity as opposed to individuality, are seriously detrimental to the feminist movement.