The talk about the double standard for women and men and also the stereotypes it promotes is a heated argument, many people considering that in Romania, equality between the genders is something far from reality. I am, myself, torn between wanting to believe that giving both boys and girls the same education and values, and teaching them the same things is a better and safe option, but also the reality that in our country, it might just be a little too early.
On one hand, equality between the genders is an important aspect and men and women should be given the right to have the same kind of education and chances to succeed academically and career wise. It is unfair to argue the values thought taught in the family do not affect self-esteem and therefore the one’s ability and drive to succeed. No girl should ever feel inferior to her brothers or boys in general just because of her gender, nor should she ever feel like she has to give up her dreams to become more of a homemaker and wife. Women should not see themselves as less than men and should not be pressured to fall into the stereotypes created centuries ago about how they should act and what their career (or lack thereof), should be. The elimination of this difference between how men and women view themselves would be much easier if boys and girls were raised to believe they are equal, if they were raised with the same set of principles and presented with the same set of opportunities.
On the other hand, it is unrealistic to assume that, if within the family girls and boys are raised the same, they will also be perceived the same later in life. In fairness, we do live in a country that can be unsafe for women. Nearly every time you turn on the TV another case of domestic violence, rape or abuse is presented, and almost every time the victim is a woman. This can be argued as the effect of many factors, but the bottom line is that a girl is always less safe than a boy, even walking down the street. This is why girls should be prepared for to avoiding and even defending themselves in situations as those presented prior. After all, girls will be met with discrimination outside of the home, no matter how hard they try to avoid it, it is very nearly impossible, and parents should teach their daughters about the existing differences between the genders, not to make them feel inferior, but to protect them and also prepare them for life.  It better to be informed about the dangers you might face, and of course, girls should not be raised with the idea that they are in any way inferior, but rather presented with the fact that there are people who do think this way and they will have to, at some point, face them. ***
In conclusion, in an ideal world there would be no need for a difference in the upbringing of girls and boys. But since casual misogyny is still very much present and girls are still in danger in Romania (and many other places), it is necessary that there is somewhat of a difference between the things parents focus on while raising their daughters and the values they teach their sons. There should be no difference in the core principles, but, another layer of safety might need to be taught to girls in order for them to be able to avoid situations because after all, any parent's goal is to know their child is safe.

***logical fallacy there: raising a girl in the traditional way does not protect her from abuse - quite the opposite

Last edited by eye_rolls_and_sarcasm (2019-12-08 21:30:35)