Who Benefits from Gender Inequality?

Hierarchy is a major component of society. It involves wealth, power and resources. Those in power create divisions that separate them from those who aren't in power. Gender is one of those creations of society; it is not biological. Gender deals with the traits and positions associated with being male or female. There is a large gap in equality between men in women in society. This is known as gender stratification. On the surface, it appears that the men benefit from this sexism, but when one takes the time to look deeper into the situation, one realizes that no one benefits.

Power is relational and systematic. It's something that has deep roots in society. Power is very methodical and organized. Those who have the power have enough knowledge on how to maintain this power. Those who don't have the power are taught from the moment they are born that they will never be able to attain the power. Women are taught that they emotional and cooperative. Women are taught to settle for less. In contrast, men are taught to compete. It is difficult for both men and women to see past this brainwashing. Individuals can't simply possess power without someone giving them the ability to. In this world, there are those who are oppressed, and then there are those who are the actual oppressors. Traditionally, men have been the oppressors, but why? What do men have to benefit from having power over women?

The biggest misconception about power is that it isn't as valuable or desirable if it something that everyone has. Why is this? What is wrong with human nature? Why can't someone have power without depriving someone else? Power in America is so institutional and deep rooted, that we are trained to believe that this is the only way to maintain power. Gender discrimination is a prime example of this. Women are a vital part of society, yet they are still treated as if they are less than. They are still treated like second class citizens in some cases. It's unfortunate. They've been mothers, nurturers, wives, and educators since the beginning of society, yet men are still seen as the more important in history. What have men done that makes them more significant? The answer is simple, absolutely nothing.

There really is no benefit from this oppression. How can human beings benefit from something that encourages division, hierarchy, control, weakness, and lack of understanding? If more emphasis was place on learning and understanding, this oppression would transform into something less ugly. Gender roles will never change over night, but they can improve into something more tolerable. Hopefully men and women can be on the same playing field someday. The differences between men and women have been perpetuated by society, there not biological. I was raised by a single mother, and I know this.

Man tells himself that he benefits from sexism but he really doesn't. On the surface, he may get the power and control, but at what cost? Women aren't going to just stand back and do nothing. Women liberation movements are a prime example. Human beings can only be oppressed for so long before they decide to up rise and rebel. Discrimination isn't productive. It holds society back from reaching its full potential. It's why a small number of people hold a majority of the power. A world where everyone had power seems so far-fetched and unrealistic, but is it? Or is this just another lie that oppressors tell the people who they control?