Equality March Makes Headlines

Post date: Feb 10, 2017 3:39:4 PM

Ryan Conover, staff

Women’s rights promote the legal and social equality of women alongside their male counterparts. While some people believe very strongly in the women’s rights, others do not feel as involved.

A new survey conducted by PerryUndem Research and Communication, found that, though many people believe in women’s rights, they oppose the word feminism. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, feminism is the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes.

The results of the survey showed that only sixteen percent of respondents identified as feminist; however, when responders were given the definition of feminism, results lifted to 52 percent. Moreover, thirteen percent of the responders reported everyone should be equal regardless of gender. The survey also revealed that the top reason why women did not identify as feminists was because they considered the group to be too extreme.

At Sturgis Brown High School, views relating to feminism and women’s rights range as widely as the poll conducted by PerryUndem Research.

Instructor Paula Manley said, “To me, women’s rights means that women are treated equally, the same as anyone else. I think if you are a woman and you are not a supporter, I don’t know what your deal is, but I don’t know why you wouldn’t stand up for what you believe.”

On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the U.S. The following day, the Women’s March drew around 500,000 people to the streets of Washington and, according to crowd scientists, this was one of the largest demonstrations in American history.

Gracie Good (10) said, “I think people speak their minds when the opportunity arises, but I don’t think women’s rights, especially toward their bodies, are voiced enough. ​People weren’t only marching for women’s rights but for equality for all people. This wasn’t a protest it was a shout for acknowledgement toward all the people viewed as ‘less’ than any person viewed superior.”

Despite the many successes that are empowering women, there are still many issues affecting women from cultural standards to political and economic struggles.

Good said, “I support women’s rights because I want a bright future for myself and I want to make a difference for people that have to fight for equality. Women have a strong influence on my life, from schooling to life lessons. Women everywhere are looking forward to their advancements in their status in society. “

Retired and current substitute teacher Linda Chaplin said, “I feel like men and women are equal, but I do feel like my life has highlighted areas in which women have not been treated equally. Having said that, I feel like I have lived in a time where I have not been kept from doing anything I want to do. I have not had a horrible experience in dealing with issues pertaining to women’s rights, but I understand that other women do have persistent problems with enacting their rights.”

Though many women support the cause of their sex, some have doubts about the Women’s March.

Melsanena Parks (9) said, “I do believe all people are created equal. Down to our DNA we are all the same. But people take it too far, like riots. I do not think it is okay to hurt people to prove a point. Very few people state opinions peacefully, and a lot try and use violence to prove what they believe. But that should not be the answer, you should not use violence because you feel someone is opposed to you.”

“I consider myself a supporter of women’s rights within reason. I don’t think women are entitled to more than men,” elementary instructor Amy Conover said. “I will support the cause as long as their reasons are logical and beneficial to all humans in the end.”

Most respondents agree women play a huge part in society, maybe even the main role, while others believe men are more capable than women, but overall most individuals interviewed said they think humans are equal.

Concurring with the greater respondents’ thoughts, instructor Tyler Murphy said, “Women’s rights are human rights. If we believe, as our national tradition has us believe, that all men are created equal, then it is within our national tradition to progress the rights of mankind regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. The moment that we create a human differential, that very moment that we are not a ‘we’ but an ‘us,’ is the moment that we break away from the natural beauty of the world. The hate and displeasure that we feel towards other humans is found in many things personal to oneself, but does not follow a natural order - a rule set forth by nature to determine the value of others. I am most definitely a supporter of women’s rights. Women’s rights are all of our rights and I wholeheartedly support them.”