Some Cartoons On Gender Discrimination

The image above shows that women at the first floor are being spied by men at the ground floor through a transparent glass that acts as a floor separator between those two grounds. Those men chased the women up to the first floor by giving excuse that males should be given the ground floor of the building. This practice is also known as gender discrimination. Besides, this is unfair to those women who wear skrits and hence, men can look through the lower parts of the women bodies. However, vice versa, men fear nothing as they wear pants.




The image above showes that a male principal of a nursery wanted to have his jacuzzi (a large bath incorporating jets of water to massage the body) instead of having the creche (nursery for babies or young children) built first, while the female principal thought of the opposite. Although the creche should be built first instead of other private structures, the workers went ahead to build the principal's jacuzzi rather than the creche mainly because the head worker (a male himself) favoured male instead of female. Such a practice is known as gender discrimination.


Jiun Ming

Ethical Theory - Social Morality

One of the ethical theories that can be related to our topic – Gender Discrimination is social morality.

As studied, social morality is a theory that attempts to relate moral standards, regulations of a society and the country’s or universal law with ethical concepts.

Social morality theory includes the responsibility of the citizen in this society, religious aspects and etc. Thus, we as the citizen have the responsibility to prevent gender discrimination from happening in the society. It is our right to protect ourselves and others from being discriminated by others just because of our gender. Besides, discriminating each other does not bring peace or harmony to the society and the country. It would only encourage hatred in the society and at the same time, there might be chaos in the nation.

If a person wants to start discriminating another person, well, think again. It is advisable that he or she should think of the consequences it would bring to the society and the country. This is because, according to social morality theory, we should pay attention to the interests and benefits of the society and not our own interest and benefits only. I am sure there would not be any benefits that can be gained from pushing away someone else who has an opposite gender from you.

Besides, it is not only our responsibility to prevent discrimination from happening, but it is also against the religious aspect in Christianity and Islam. As mentioned in the view of religious, we should not encouraged discrimination. Male and female are both equal in the perspective of Christianity and Islam. Thus, we should say no to discrimination!

So, before we start discriminating anyone, there are some questions that we should think thoroughly. Is there any benefit that we will get from discriminating one another? Will we be happy after we push someone aside? What will happen to the society when we discriminate one another?

Sharon

Equality~!!

Sharon

Comic Strip

(Note: Click on the picture for a larger view on the comic strip. Thank you.)


Sharon

Discrimination at Work Place

Sharon

!!!!~~Poster~~!!!!

Yuan Teng

discrimination comic

Yuan Teng

Lets have a look at some pictures

Hmmm... I have found some pictures which I felt would be suitable for our blog's issue. I have made some "assumptions" to the meaning of the pictures too. =P

1st picture: 'A family free from violence and discrimination is the basis for peace and development'

2nd picture: 'Women are the creators and the nurterers . . . Respect for women leads to development; Violence towards women leads to destruction'

Yuan Teng

Ladies First or Gentlemen First?

“Ladies first!” the gentleman declared while opening the doorway of the restaurant, signing off to the beautiful young lady to enter the restaurant. The young lady smiled back and ambled into the restaurant, leaving the gentleman beside the doorway gazing away at the lady’s beauty.

Often, this phrase is heard almost everywhere, in restaurants, office areas, public entrances, learning institutes and even in the buses! I’m sure the gentlemen who are staying near Curtin Village or Villa’s bus stops will usually allow the young ladies to get onto the bus before they do. This is one example of ladies being first. In fact, this phrase is so commonly used that it can be known as a cliché (a phrase or opinion that is overused).

Normally, this phrase is heard in two situations. It is either used to gain something in particular or to avoid a certain situation.

For example, let say a group of boys and girls went to a concert where stars from all over the world are singing on stage. Guess what, the crowd was given a chance to actually take pictures with those famous singers and even take back with them a personal autograph of them. Without further ado, the crowd would rush onto the stage, only to be stopped by the security guards. Later, the girls would have shouted, “Ladies first!” That way, the ladies would be able to be the first to get up the stage to meet their stars at that night.

Another example is when a group of boys and girls were asked to go on stage and give a public speech regarding certain issues. Eventually, the boys would shout, “Ladies first!” The ladies, unable to defend themselves would have to take the initial start just because of the phrase – “Ladies first!” Through this way, the boys were able to avoid that frustrating situations of being first to give a speech in front of hundred of people.

Both examples clearly illustrate how the phrase - "Ladies first!" is usually used in our daily life. However, if I were to ask, why should the ladies be the first to do anything at all before the gentlemen? Why is there never a "Gentlemen first!"? Would it be unfair to the gentlemen if ladies are always given the chance to be the first? So, which gender exactly should be first? These will be the questions I will ask to those ladies and gentlemen.

In order to get a better point of view over this issue, I have asked several students in the campus about those questions above. Some rather interesting opinions were given by them such as it is a world-wide culture to always have the ladies come first before the gentlemen. Another one said doing such a gentlemen act is actually a way flirting with ladies. In other words, it actually meant because the person they are treating is a female, they treat her to the best of their abilities.

After I have gathered quite a number of information from the students, I found out that majority said that men must be a gentlemen and it is natural for gentlemen to let the ladies be first. Interested, I did a further research about the term ‘gentlemen’ and came out with some fairly interesting results.

According to the 8th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, a gentleman is defined as one who is without any title and that his ancestors have been a freemen (1856). It was also added that the title ‘gentleman’ can only be given to those who are courteous and show great and refined manner above the commoners (Encyclopedia Britannica 1856).

In short, gentleman is to possess great attitude and show good character in the public. In fact, a gentleman with such wonderful character will tend to treat others well naturally, especially the ladies. Else, it would be shameful to those with the title of ‘gentleman’ if they were to act the opposite.

Nevertheless, most gentlemen in the society now only treat ladies to the best of their abilities, by ignoring the other sex – the other gentlemen. As mentioned, a gentleman should treat not only the ladies but the other gentlemen well as well. If he is to treat one side of the sex (usually the ladies) well only, it would mean that he is practicing gender discrimination. As defined in our group, gender discrimination occurs when a person is subjected to different or unequal treatment in any number of situations and that treatment is based on the person’s gender.

Therefore, gender should not be used to determine whether he or she should go first. Else, it would only mean gender discrimination. So, readers out there, should ladies be first or gentlemen be first?

Allan

Happy Birthday (Belated) To Ah Ming~!!

Hey guys.. another member in our group is having his birthday yesterday.. let's wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY (belated)~!!

Let's sing him a happy birthday song,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to AH MING,
Happy birthday to you~!!

Sharon

Is gender discrimination being imposed in clubs?

Just want to share my thoughts with the rest of you people out there. Before I pursue my study in Curtin, I used to watch a lot of television programmes (one of my favourite pastimes) back in my hometown. I would spend the whole day sitting down on my comfy cushion, watching anything that is being broadcasted on the television. It ranges from Chinese soap operas, Hindu movies, Malay series, reality shows, cartoons, news (forced by my parents XD), educational programs and even advertisements!

Anyway, on one particular day, I was watching the television whenI happened to come across a television program, showing a club called Boyz Club. What they (the boys) did in the program were various ways of what males will usually do in their pastimes – watching movies, playing computer games, hanging out with other boys, sporting and other crazy stuffs that males enjoy. It was something new that I came across in the television after years of watching that square machine.

A few months later, I came across another television program that introduces a similar concept to the audiences – a club. However, this time, it’s the Girls’ Club. So, in the show, they (the girls) showed how they spend their leisure time – shopping, hanging out with other girls, chatting along, visiting the salon and other girlish stuffs that females enjoy. A similar program to the one I mentioned above but with a number of different activities shown in the program. At that point, I actually wonder that the boys and girls might be competing among each other just to gather popularity in one type of sex.

As I am studying in Curtin now and it happened to me being involved in a topic named ‘Gender Discrimination’, I was thinking that I might as well do a further research on that particular ‘incident’. After some internet searching, I came across two websites.

One of the websites is G.I.R.L. Club (http://www.christiangirlclub.com/) which stands for Guiding and Inspiring Righteous Ladies Club.



Another website I came across is BBC (http://billionaireboys.com/) which stands for Billionaire Boys Club.



I was thinking that the foundation of such clubs might be promoting gender discrimination in the society indirectly. Imagin that you are a male teenager and you wanted to join the G.I.R.L. Club but due to your gender being a male, your request was rejected. The same will most propably happen to females wanting to join the Billionaire Boys Club. The boys could be thinking of joining the G.I.R.L. Club because they wanted to better understand the females' cultures or felt that this club is fun and interesting. The girls might be thinking the same as well. Nevertheless, because of their opposite sex with the club's requested gender for members, they lost the chance to join those clubs and to widen their experience.

Such clubs might encourage members of the society to separate each other based on gender and not to mix around with the opposite sex. If the worst were to happen, the society might even start practicing gender discrimination as in some private locations can only be accessed by males or females. Therefore, I do believe that gender discrimination is being imposed in clubs indirectly which is an unhealthy sign to the practice of gender equality.


Allan

Happy Birthday To Allan~!!

Hey guys.... today is Allan's birthday... let's wish him HAPPY BIRTHDAY~!!




Well.. since we are like a big family.. so I just came out with this thought of posting a birthday message here for him... and wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY~!!

Here's a birthday song for him:
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to ALLAN,
Happy birthday to you~!!


Sharon

Say No To Discrimination~!!

Sharon

Comments anyone?

Hi there~!

To everyone out there who is viewing our blog, we would like to sincerely thank you for spending your time to take a peek at our blog~!

As our group name suggests - Being 2gether is Fun, we believe that everyone should mix around and not discriminate each other due to our difference in gender. Therefore, we strongly go against gender discrimination that not only discriminate females but males as well.

However, we would like to take a look at the opinions of others, hence, having a poll created to know whether we have to same view as the society. It would be better if you could take some time to post your comments on gender discrimination; why you go against or support gender discrimination, any example or experience of gender discrimination and other relevant points to gender discrimination would be most welcomed.

Last but not least, we thank you for your attention and hope you enjoy your time reading our blog~!!


Allan

Religious View On Gender Discrimination

Islam

In the past, for Muslim women living in Europe, discrimination occured on two levels. Discrimination occured from the exterior society especially when looking for a job, in the workplace or at school and moreso for Muslim women who chose to wear the headscarf. Besides, the real discrimination also existed between men and women at home and within the family structure. Many Muslim women were forbidden to work by their husbands and some were married against their wishes.

However, nowadays, looking into the Islamic gender discourse, on realise that men and women are equally treated by Allah in terms of their rights and responsibilities either in this life or in the life to come. They are awarded the same for their good deeds or punished the same for the bad ones. Allah commanded the believers to offer their children the same chances of life such as education and health care. Men and women receive the same salaries for the jobs they do. They share equal responsibilities of bringing up their children and the housework. This shows that there is no gender discrimination among the Islamic believers.

Spiritual Equality of Women and Men
"Allah has got ready forgiveness and tremendous rewards for the Muslim men and women; the believing men and women; the devout men and women; the truthful men and women; the patiently suffering men and women; the humble men and women; the almsgiving men and women; the fasting men and women, the men and women who guard their chastity; and the men and women who are exceedingly mindful of Allah." (Al-Ahzab 33:35)

"Treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers."(From the last sermon of Prophet Mohammed)




Sylvia

Christianity

In Christianity, it does not mention clearly whether it is against gender discrimination or not, but, there are some passages from the bible which show that Christianity disallows gender discrimination. God created us for some reason and every one of us is unique to Him. His believers are like His own children. It would be sad if we are discriminating one another just because we have the different gender, thinking that what kind of job is only suitable for which particular gender of person to do. When God created us, He was hoping that we would love one another and we would not practice gender discrimination.

However, in the early years, the statuses of women as described in Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) are very low. They are often being described in negative terms such as sexual predators, deceitful and untrustworthy. For example, in one of the passages from the bible, Genesis 39:7-20: Potiphar was an official in the court of the Pharaoh. His wife unsuccessfully attempted to seduce Joseph (THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Old Testament passages describing women in negative terms; as equal to men; & as leaders). She later falsely accused him of attempting to rape her, and had him arrested. From this passage, it shows that the woman was described as someone who was bad and troublesome.

But, there are also some passages from the Old Testament that mention women were also being viewed as equal to men and were described as leaders. Therefore, it shows that Christianity also respects women and gives women the equal right as men. For example, in the passage from the bible, Exodus 21:32: A slave owner would receive equal compensation if an ox gored one of his slaves, whether the victim was male or female (THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Old Testament passages describing women in negative terms; as equal to men; & as leaders). From this passage, it shows that both man and woman have equal value. It is mentioned that it does not matter if the victim is a male or a female; the slave owner would receive equal compensation. The slave owner would not receive more compensation if the victim is a female or less amount of compensation if the victim is a male or vice versa. It simply means that both woman and man have the same value of life and should be treated equally.

Plus, in the modern days, the statuses of women have been improved bit by bit in the view of Christianity. They are gaining equality slowly. In the Episcopal Church in the western country, they have elected Right Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori to be its Presiding Bishop, and the first female Primate of the Anglican Communion. Thus, it shows that women’s statuses are higher than in the early years and that there is no more gender discrimination happening in Christianity. So, it shows that Christianity prohibit gender discrimination.

Sharon


Buddhism

In countries where there is no bhiksunt to perform the ordination of nuns, monks often take the responsibility. The monks are acting compassionately when they ordain nuns, since nuns in the countries without bhiksunts could not become ordained without the help of monks. Although nuns are limited by the absence of bhiksunts, nuns literally become disempowered by relinquishing their monastic authority.

Over the years, gender imbalance happened in Buddhism. People often dismiss the gender imbalance and say that gender equality is not necessary for Dharma practice. They recognize that there is a gender imbalance in Buddhism and acknowledge that monks have more opportunities than nuns, but believe that gender difference are irrelevant to achieving enlightenment. Even if there is gender discrimination in Buddhism, many would claim that it cannot prevent women from achieving nirvana.

Nowadays, some people may deny that there is no gender discrimination exists in Buddhism. This is because women can do anything that men can do and women are able to achieve whatever goal they strive for. If women want enlightenment, they can get it, given that they work hard enough. Nothing can prevent women from achieving enlightenment.

Sylvia

STOP DISCRIMINATION!!

Sylvia

Arguments...

Unfair Treatments

One of the reasons as to why gender discrimination should be discouraged is because of the unfair treatments towards the females when compare to the males in the society, in schools and even in their own family.

Generally, most of the housework in the family is done by female family members although some of them have to work outdoors like most of the males. Imagine a housewife who is also working outside the house has to sacrifice so much of her time and her energy to prepare dinner, wash the laundry, take care of the children's school works and other household chores after she comes back from the office at 5 in the evening. However, some of the males in the house not only do not appreciate what their wife has done but take that as granted as though it is a tradition where all females should serve males. Worse, some husbands even abuse their wives despite what their wives have done for them. A family should consist of not only the females but the males as well to be willing to help each other out to maintain a harmonious family.

Unfair treatments between genders are also found to happen in schools. In the past, only males are allowed to attend school but females were not given the chance to be educated. The society in the olden days believes that man had the responsibility of carrying out the duty for their country and one of the ways was to equip himself with profound knowledge. As for females, they were considered to be unimportant and only need to fulfill their responsibility of serving their husband to the fullest. However, it is a relief now to see some changes in our education system where males and females have the equal right of getting a proper education as mentioned in all constitutions of the countries in the world.

Besides that, there are other unfair treatments that are currently faced by females in the society. Females are still treated unjust and discriminated because of their gender. Unfair treatments such as salary is paid less to the females than the males and chances of the females getting a promotion in their careers are fewer than the males are also experienced in companies that practice gender discrimination. Some even give out comments as to certain types of jobs should only be done by females. In worse cases, some females are sexually harassed by their colleagues or managers who treat females as ‘toys’. Such acts that involve unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in the workplace are known as sexual harassment and they are unlawful in the eyes of the law.


Human Rights

In the East, there are a lot of unfair treatments happening to females. A culture known as purchased slave where a female is purchased by rich people with money is still happening in most African countries although slave trade has been abolished. The lady would have to obey her master's instructions and follow her master forever.

Second marriage of a husband is also unfair to his wife for it is considered as an unfair treatment to female. A few females have to share their husband together. Female child who is between 5 to 10 years old was married out without the knowledge of the child and at that time, the child still can’t decide what is correct and what is wrong.

Besides, sati, a wife who had been killed on her dead husband’s funeral is an obvious example of unfair treatment to female that she has to be killed because her husband die earlier than her.





Jiun Ming

Allan

Introduction to Gender Discrimination

As we are fast approaching a new modern era, women have made it clear that they have the ability to perform with equal skill and success in virtually every endeavor engaged in by men -- including employment, athletics, academics and politics. Yet discrimination on the basis of sex has a long history all over the world, and its residual effects still operate to keep women's salaries lower and opportunities fewer in the employment realm.

Gender discrimination occurs when a person is subjected to different or unequal treatment in any number of situations and that treatment is based on the person’s gender. We should not have any gender or sex discriminated because everyone should have the same opportunity to create a “level playing field” so that people are employed, paid, trained and promoted based on their skills, ability and how they work but not on their gender.




Yuan Teng

WelComE~!

Hello everyone, welcome to our group's blog~!! ^@^


First of all, we would like to introduce ourselves. We have a total of 6 beautiful and handsome teammates in our group. They are :


Allan Ang Kwang Loon

Jacky Yong

Sharon Chang Fang Fang

Sim Yuan Teng

Sylvia Chai Siaw Ting

Wong Jiun Ming


Now, we would like to reveal our group's name to all. Our group's name is ---- Being 2gether Is Fun~


The reason we chose this name as our group name is because we are all having fun when we group together as a team. We enjoyed ourselves being as a team and worked hard on the issue that we picked which is 'Gender Discrimination'.

In addition, in order to state our stance in this issue, we have our group's name to be Being 2gether Is Fun so as to tell everyone that spending time to be together is actually fun and enjoying. Thus, there should not be any discrimination, not only between gender but also among people of different races, religions and cultures. That is what we believe in our group~!


Okay, so basically that's all about our introduction. We hope that all of you have fun viewing our blog.


Good Day Everyone~ =)


Sharon