Don't Fall into Another Extreme while Promoting Gender Equality
In recent years, many countries have been promoting Gender Equality to put an end to gender inequality, especially towards women. There's a phenomenon I have observed in modern schools since primary school. We have been protective towards girls, and prevent hurting them physically and emotionally. But what about the little boys? What's the stereotypical image have you depicted for them?
I met a friend this winter break in Singapore. He is a dance instructor, teaching primary school children. He told me that, "Every first lesson, I would definitely make a little boy cry in my class, so they wouldn't create trouble for the rest of the semester."
We usually assume that girls are more vulnerable than boys, that we are more tactful with the words we used. We tend to talk to girls gently. On the other hand, would you assume that boys are invincible that we do not have to watch the words, the tone we used while interacting with them?
I committed such a mistake.
Sometimes when a conflict strikes with boys and girls. The girls might be the one who initiate the bicker, boys' reactions might seem rough. What would you do in reflex? Raising your voice to stop boys from bullying the girls? As the boys hand down immediately, you start investigating the cause of the dispute.
Of course little boys tend not to fuss over trivial matters. Never did you know that, they are already hurt the moment you shouted. Instead of understanding that you actually think highly of them, the message they get from you would probably be "You yelled at us, not the girls. That's so unfair."
There are certain situations that make me think that girls may turn out unreasonable when emotional. Sometimes I choose to not to exhort them, because I don't want to make a mountain out of molehill. Their minds are exquisite, but sometimes think too much.
As for the little boys, I am more straightforward. They would not harbor bitter resentment, I thought.
One of the boys came up to me, telling me that most of them think that I am getting biased towards girls. I startled. Because I have no intention to be bias towards any of the genders. In fact, I love them like my own brothers and sisters.
The head of the boys started ignoring me, and he turned his head away when he bumped into me.
But you know what? I often watch them playing in the field, when they are not noticing. Nonetheless, I started reflecting.
Boys are human too. They have flesh, they have feelings. I should remove the labels from them, and treat them equally. It's gender equality. Never fall toward another extreme while we are trying to protect girls and giving them the equal opportunities in jobs and educations.
I apologized to the little boys sincerely today.
I met a friend this winter break in Singapore. He is a dance instructor, teaching primary school children. He told me that, "Every first lesson, I would definitely make a little boy cry in my class, so they wouldn't create trouble for the rest of the semester."
We usually assume that girls are more vulnerable than boys, that we are more tactful with the words we used. We tend to talk to girls gently. On the other hand, would you assume that boys are invincible that we do not have to watch the words, the tone we used while interacting with them?
I committed such a mistake.
Sometimes when a conflict strikes with boys and girls. The girls might be the one who initiate the bicker, boys' reactions might seem rough. What would you do in reflex? Raising your voice to stop boys from bullying the girls? As the boys hand down immediately, you start investigating the cause of the dispute.
Of course little boys tend not to fuss over trivial matters. Never did you know that, they are already hurt the moment you shouted. Instead of understanding that you actually think highly of them, the message they get from you would probably be "You yelled at us, not the girls. That's so unfair."
There are certain situations that make me think that girls may turn out unreasonable when emotional. Sometimes I choose to not to exhort them, because I don't want to make a mountain out of molehill. Their minds are exquisite, but sometimes think too much.
As for the little boys, I am more straightforward. They would not harbor bitter resentment, I thought.
One of the boys came up to me, telling me that most of them think that I am getting biased towards girls. I startled. Because I have no intention to be bias towards any of the genders. In fact, I love them like my own brothers and sisters.
The head of the boys started ignoring me, and he turned his head away when he bumped into me.
But you know what? I often watch them playing in the field, when they are not noticing. Nonetheless, I started reflecting.
Boys are human too. They have flesh, they have feelings. I should remove the labels from them, and treat them equally. It's gender equality. Never fall toward another extreme while we are trying to protect girls and giving them the equal opportunities in jobs and educations.
I apologized to the little boys sincerely today.
Comments
Post a Comment