Americans have been striving for equality, the state of being equal in status, rights and opportunities, for an extremely long time. While I am not saying that women have struggled more than men in their lives, women are, however, treated differently based on their sex. For example, the pay gap and pink tax applied to the female sex are two of the most prominent issues challenging equality today.

For decades, women have earned less than men. As of 2015, the average hourly wage for women was 79 cents to every dollar men made. However, that pay gap has shrunk eight cents over the last six years.

The pay gap is not the only thing that is unfair to women. Pink tax, the extra amount of money women pay for specific products or services, is another equality issue. The same quality razors and clothing articles are taxed differently based on the gender they are advertised for. It works like this: Manufacturers reduce the size of a men’s item (like a razor), make it pink, lower the quality, then raise the price. As a result of this imbalance, women typically pay more for the same items 42% of the time. That means women pay around $1,300 more annually than men.

There are other differences that women are forced to live with. The New York CIty Department of Consumer Affairs did a study on the percentage tax difference men and women are forced to pay. They found women paid 7% more for toys and accessories, 4% more for children’s clothing, 8% more for adult clothing, 13% more for personal care products and 8% more for senior/home health care products.

Let’s talk about these health care products that women pay more for. Tampons, pads and other feminine hygiene products are labeled a luxury item and are taxed. Why? Women did not ask to have a period, so why should they pay a ton of money for the products that go along with it? Men do not have to purchase any of these products for themselves, so why should women be the only ones to buy these products?

If women wish to be treated as equals they have to accept the downsides that come along with it. Currently, only men are forced to register with the Selective Service System at the age of 18. Once registered, men could then be drafted in the event of a significant military conflict. If women desire true equality they should have to register as well. This is currently not the case.

Equality to me does not mean women deserve more to compensate for anything. It means that men and women deserve to have the same opportunities and respect. If two individuals do the same things and get paid different amounts, that is unfair. However, if an individual does more than another they deserve to be paid more, regardless of whether they are a man or woman.