Women and Men

 

Who do you think has life easier, men or women? Why?

I would say men. When compared with women, men are not subject to a glass ceiling(無形限制) in the workplace; they are not expected to stay at home and take care of children; and they tend to be less sentimental and, by this, I mean less bothered by trivial matters.

 

 What are the responsibilities of a father to his family?

First and foremost, a father is there to support his family: to give them a sense of security, particularly at times of adversity(逆境) where they might be at a loss as to what to do and how to do it. They might collapse in the absence of such staunch(堅定的) support. A father is also his wife’s best partner. In most cases, the wife is a working mom, torn(被撕裂) between her work and household duties. She needs unfailing(一貫的) support from him if she has any chance of success both at work and at home.

 

 What are the responsibilities of a mother to her family?

In modern society, a mother’s responsibilities are no different from a father’s, and in most cases, they might be more than those of the latter. With gender equality, a mother is often a working mom, bringing in income which secures the financial well-being of the family. No matter whether she works or not, she always takes care of her children and help them sort out(處理) things, as in the past.

 

 Are there different expectations for sons and daughters?

Yes, sons are expected to be brave, courageous, or even tough, whereas daughters are expected to be gentle, quiet, or well-mannered. Traditional norms are that parents have higher expectations for their sons than their daughters, for example, in terms of academic results, career development, or financial well-being. Fortunately, such stereotypes have given way because of gender equality.

 

 What jobs are deemed(認為) as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?

Jobs that require a lot of physical strength, such as construction(建築) or mining(礦業), are more suitable for men than women. Similarly, jobs with a high risk of getting hurt, such as those of soldiers or firefighters, are more for men, though it must be said that some women are not afraid of taking up such jobs, proving that they are as good as men.

 

 Is it OK for men to look sad?

I think so. I do not subscribe to(同意) the notion that men have to be tough and should not cry. Indeed, this notion has over the years lost the appeal(吸引力) to most people. Common wisdom has it that it is perfectly fine for men to cry or look sad. It is in their interest to let go the emotions rather than suppress them.