What Happened To The Fight For Equality In The United States

What happened to the fight for equality? The United States is

The Op-ed "What happened to the fight for equality? The United States is" discusses the decline of feminism and gender equality activism in modern American society despite legislative protections and societal advancements. It highlights instances of sexual harassment, societal attitudes towards gender roles, and the need for cultural change among college students to revive gender equality efforts.

In recent years, even with the U.S. nearing the historic milestone of electing its first female president, feminism appears to have lost its momentum. High-profile cases like that of Brock Allen Turner, a Stanford student convicted of sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman, reveal persistent societal tolerance for sexual misconduct. The lenient sentencing in such cases sparked widespread outrage and demonstrated how attitudes towards sexual assault and gender violence remain problematic despite legal reforms.

Research by Pagge and Whitley (2017) illustrates how sexism becomes institutionalized within educational environments. Their findings reveal that female students often remain silent about harassment due to fears of retaliation and jeopardizing their careers. Such environments foster unsafe atmospheres that hinder learning and personal growth. Similar issues occur outside campuses, with a 2014 survey indicating that 65% of women and 25% of LGBT individuals faced street harassment, encouraging fear and behavioral adaptations like avoiding eye contact or changing jobs. These societal challenges underscore the deep-rooted nature of gender inequality.

Despite these issues, many young Americans show apathy or ignorance towards feminist ideals. Surveys reveal that many students lack understanding of what feminism entails, often dismissing gender discussions as unimportant. This attitude hampers progress in addressing systemic inequalities. Moreover, societal norms continue to reinforce sexist behaviors, with boys being raised to suppress femininity and associate it with weakness—factors that perpetuate sexual violence and sexist attitudes. Experimental interventions, such as behavior modification programs targeting college men, have proven effective in reducing sexist remarks and behaviors, suggesting that change is possible with concerted efforts.

Legal protections like Title IX, enacted in 1972 to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex in educational settings, are crucial but insufficient alone to eradicate inequality. Laws serve as frameworks, but cultural attitudes and behaviors require ongoing shifts. Historically, legal rights—such as the Fifteenth Amendment guaranteeing Black men's voting rights—took decades to translate into societal change. Similarly, gender equality advances face resistance rooted in deep-seated stereotypes and cultural norms.

Addressing this gap necessitates a cultural shift. A focus on attitude change within society, especially among college students, is essential. Increased awareness campaigns, educational programs, and proactive bystander interventions can foster an environment where sexism and harassment are unequivocally condemned. For example, institutions like the University of Central Florida have successfully implemented daily workshops and counseling groups that aim to destigmatize discussions around harassment and gender violence, leading to a more supportive campus climate.

In conclusion, although legal protections have made progress possible, genuine gender equality depends on ongoing cultural change. The fight for equality must extend beyond legislation into the realm of societal attitudes, especially among future leaders—college students. Empowering this generation through education and societal norms will be vital in restoring and advancing the feminist movement’s goals, ensuring that equality becomes a reality rather than an ideal.

References

  • Pagge, T., & Whitley, L. (2017). Sexism at the Centre: Locating The Problem of Sexual Harassment. New Formations, (86), 34-53.
  • Stack, Liam. (2016). Light Sentence for Brock Turner in Stanford Rape Case Draws Outrage. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/07/us/stanford-rape-case-brock-turner.html
  • Conner, B. (2015). Faces of Feminism: An Ideology Analysis of "Stop Telling Women to Smile". Web.
  • Stolberg, Sheryl Gay. (2016). Hillary Clinton’s Candidacy Reveals Generational Schism Among Women. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/22/us/politics/hillary-clinton-generational-women.html
  • United States Department of Labor. (n.d.). Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972. Web.
  • Kilmartin, C., Semelsberger, R., Dye, S., Boggs, E., & Kolar, D. (2016). Behavior Intervention to Reduce Sexism in College Men. Gender Issues, 32, 97-110.
  • Hoffman, J. (2015). Anxious Students Strain College Mental Health Centers. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/education/edlife/anxious-students-strain-college-mental-health-centers.html
  • Hunt, J., & Eisenberg, D. (2010). Mental health problems and help-seeking behavior among college students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(1), 3-10.
  • Novotney, A. (2014). Students Under Pressure. Monitor on Psychology. American Psychological Association.
  • Brown, J. (2016). Anxiety: The Most Common Mental Health Diagnosis in College Students. BU Today. Retrieved from https://www.bu.edu/articles/2016/college-anxiety-tips

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