BY HANNAH RAMESAR
An “unmarked female” is an impossibility in today’s society. What constitutes an unmarked woman? Well, a woman who is not marked pre-conceived gender stereotypes and attitudes. Sex-stereotypes and gender-specific roles that plague our society give birth to innumerable injustices that have a significant impact on the majority of the female population. Some of which burden women with the sole responsibility and blame attached to the sometimes rash and irresponsible decisions made by the opposite sex, while other stereotypes tend to place beauty into irrational categories unattainable to the average female. But the list continues when we take a look at the world of employment through the eyes and pockets of a woman. With all these issues they are currently facing, it is no wonder that life continues to be harder for women than men.
When tackling issues such as rape and even molestation, the majority of the time, most if not all, the blame tends to get pinned on the female involved because “she was in the wrong place at the wrong time” or maybe “she shouldn’t have been wearing that to entice him.” According to Rainn.org, about 44% of the female victims reported are under the age of the 18. Let that number sink in. Given enough thought, one comes to the realization that any young woman attending Cooper City High could easily be a part of that statistic. The mere thought of a young woman being violated in such a manner and often times taking the fall for another human being’s lack of self control is truly sickening.
On a lighter note, are the insecurities of the average women brought to life by society and the media. There are stereotypical images of the ideal male body and overall physical appearance, but greater pressure and emphasis seems to be put on women. On one hand, television praises curves and the “thicker woman” yet high fashion and magazines tend to idolize a slimmer physique. According to Anad.org, 95% of women who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25 and over one-half of teenage girls use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives. It is heartbreaking to know that the masses have yet to be properly educated on the difference between being healthy compared to being slim. Adding on to the heinous classifications and cataloging of beauty is that which seems to “make a woman”- her clothing, hairstyle, shoes, jewelry and makeup, or lack of, all suggest very different things about her.
Say for instance a young lady chooses to wear something more form fitting that exposes some of her midsection or even cleavage. Everyone is quick to jump on the judgment wagon and deem said young lady as “trashy” or “slutty”, when in actuality she may just be one among the few that is content with her shape and therefore dresses to reflect this confidence. At the same time, girls who dare go for the more “relaxed look”, meaning minimal makeup and jewelry or more comfortable clothing instead of the latest trends are automatically labeled as lazy and unkept. Because they put less effort into looking “perfect” and more effort into looking human, they are judged and categorized. Appearance tends to be the window to the soul when society looks at a woman; something easily adjustable if more people took time to realize beauty comes in different shapes, sizes and colors and you cannot put a label on someone’s self worth because they chose not to wear skinny jeans or have pin straight hair.
With all these pressures magnified throughout an individual’s high school career, it can be a lot to manage when one is preparing for success in the outside world. However this trend continues in the long run long after school because women are often underpaid next to men even though they may have the exact same skill set and may be doing the exact same job. According to Marketwatch.com, in 2012, the wage of a full-time female employee was roughly 81% of her male counterpart. Why would anyone want to go through extensive years of studying and training just to be paid less than their counterparts? It begs the question: why even go through all the schooling and student loans just to be underpaid and unappreciated? This question has seemed to curse the female generations as they grow more independent and hungry for “equality”.
Women, young and old, are “marked” whether by choice or not. Appearance, actions, attitudes along with a myriad of other things leave women doomed and boxed off into manmade brackets that suffocate their opportunity for growth and progress.
