Gender Roles

I think it is safe to say that women are on the rise in the professional arena. Although some media outlets would have you believe that we haven’t broken through the glass ceiling, I think we have instead drilled a hole and put a door in it to the other side. The US census report from 2009 indicates that the female-male income ratio was 0.77 in 2008. So we still only earn $.77 on every dollar our male counterparts earn if you do not account for side-by-side industry comparisons. Each industry is different, so a side-by-side comparison might show highly variable results. However unfair that looks in our liberal and female empowered society, we have still come a long way from $.63 in 1997 to less than $.50 in 1947. How has that translated for women in general?

With this rise in female earning potential and the subsequent decline of the earning potential of males in certain industries a call for change or revamping of gender roles has been seen more and more in mass media. Women have become seemingly more independent, and less likely to be subservient to men. Men have found themselves in a sea of women who could potentially earn more than them, and are not as easily impressed by their mere existence. Does this mean that men should now put on the aprons and become the stay at home Dad? I think not. If anything, wholesome men should see this as a call for further advancement, a need for change in the strategy in which they pursue women or develop their careers. Women still bear the children, and are still the ones physically equipped to chemically bond with and nurse children through their younger years. And this woman would still rather have a male head of household. In this age of highly promiscuous images, women fumbling around trying to find their perceived liberation and empowerment, and more diversity among the wants and desires of women, men have got a lot more to contend with if they want to find the woman that will be a good life partner for them, meanwhile not insulting the sensibilities of the “modern woman”.

Some men have taken an unreceptive stance against the upwardly mobile woman. Meanwhile others have convinced women to take on the role of “bread winner” in the household. Whatever the case may be, women have won the right and the time to choose their mate. However, I think some old rules should still apply. Men should pursue women that are more compatible in education and life goals. Otherwise, the key factor of communication in any relationship is further hampered by conflicting ideology and understanding. If you have not had similar educational experiences your frame of reference might be vastly different. And if you do not have similar goals or respect for each other’s goals, then you might find yourself growing apart rather than together. Women should be aware that any man they invite into their life even as a friend is going to leave a lasting mark on them, therefore they should be mindful of who they interact with. Men can easily come and go, but women create mental bonds. They should also know that whether or not the man is head of the household, they should definitely know what kind of household they want to live in; because the man usually sets the tone and pace for the life that you will lead. So ladies, choose wisely.

Ephesians 5:17-33 (verse 21 indicates that submission is one to another, but ultimately it is to God).