Sexism Effects The World Essay

Fatima Belkadi
Dewitt Clinton Elementary

Von Scholar Application Essay
An aspect of my identity that really changes my view on the world is my gender. As a woman, society sees me as a young individual with not so much of a key or vital position in the world because I am a young woman. In my lifetime I have encountered many sexist males that have told me I am not good enough for something or that women in general cannot get the job done. When I was younger in 7th grade I got in an argument with a boy and we were debating about how women can do anything men can do. But he concluded our dispute with
“ There is a reason why men are the dominant gender!” and he trailed off. I was somehow touched by that and I began thinking “How come people believe men are the dominant gender?”.
I did research and I thought about it because I felt that somehow he was right and I wanted to know why. I found out that religion plays a big role on gender equality. Men in the early days were I guess “dominant” because when women gave birth they raised their child and stayed home while men went out to get food and money to support the family. Since the mother stayed home she also cleaned the home and cooked. That leads us to the stereotype that all women stay home and raise children. In many religious books the stories and morals are from olden days and these rules are based off of life in those times.
Although the stereotype exists today, many women try to make more of themselves and really try to find a place in society and leave a mark. But inequality exists and in the same job men get payed more. Women get payed a ratio of 8.5 : 10 in comparison of what men get in the exact same job. These statistics mean something. In the past 100 years women have gained so many rights, from voting, to driving. But the question many people ask themselves is “Will there ever be true equality for all genders?”
When growing up my mom told me “Never be afraid to do your best. Always try, and if you don’t succeed learn from your mistakes.” But I questioned her numerous times.
“But some jobs are for guys, I can’t do it.”
Of course you can, I believe that if you set your mind to it you can do anything!” and I live by that quote, everyday of my life whether I’m feel down or I’m having the best day in life.
I encountered many problems because I am female and I am “too weak or can’t do it right”. I have a passion for football and boys softball but at my school they do not allow co­ed and said the sport is called “boys softball” for a reason. They said “There is a reason why there are no women’s football” Although I am not allowed to play on the actual team I can practice with them and I decided to practice on my own time or my own well being.
Women still earn 85 cents on the dollar for doing the same job as men. We still make up far less than our percentage of the population in political representation and high level careers. I have personally faced a great deal of sexism in my lifetime whether it was in sports or in my

daily life academically. I stress out money and jobs for women because I want change. If no change happens then I will encounter this inequality when I begin working. My gender plays a big role in the way I see the world.