Typical argument against feminism #2: Women already have equal rights

Photo by Dan Wynn.

Well, it is commonplace that in many jobs out there women get a lower pay than their male counterparts.

I can remember one specific moment when, in a job interview, which was particularly hostile, they asked me if I was thinking of having children some time soon. My sister told me afterwards that was an illegal sexist question.

Besides, politics is also represented within the four walls of our homes. Excuse my “rudeness”, but it’s clear that chores are still considered a woman’s duty. That’s ingrained in our subconscious and many men, comfortable with their privileges, don’t lift a finger to change this situation. They’re saving time and energy for themselves, why would they?

Let me come back again to the issue of women and work. Women can be discriminated at work in other ways. For example, a friend of mine told me her boss harassed her sexually.

As for feminism-opposers who put forward this argument, they almost always operate on the male / female gender binary, which is a problem. We need to take into account, for example, trans individuals.

We should further point out that there is a difference between the rights we have and the treatment we receive in society. For instance, in the Constitution of the United States, all races are considered equal in the eyes of the law. However, black people are continuously discriminated. Having the same rights does not ensure being treated as social equals.