Tackling Gender Discrimination: Can We Truly Eradicate It?

Gender discrimination has been a longstanding issue that has both scholars and societal activists striving for its eradication. From the thorny issue of keep men off women’s sports teams, to ensuring occupational standards for emergency services are not lowered, to eliminating sexual discrimination in job placement, the road towards true gender equality is multifaceted and challenging.

Challenging Preconceived Notions

The initial question posed is about the ways to remove gender discrimination. It is crucial to acknowledge that gender discrimination is embedded in many aspects of society. For instance, placing restrictions on women's access to certain professions or public spaces can be a direct manifestation of discrimination. However, the discussion often overlooks sex discrimination, such as when an individual discriminates against women for personal reasons, like sleeping with a man only because he is a woman. This highlights the complexity of the issue and the fact that eradicating discrimination is intertwined with protecting personal freedoms.

Legal and Social Reforms

In the context of the United States, a constitutional amendment specifically targeting gender discrimination has been proposed but consistently stalled by feminists. This is a clear indication of the deep-seated legal and cultural issues at play. However, in modern western societies, the legal framework has largely achieved gender equality. Women are afforded the same rights and protections under the law as men.

According to Canadian and now American standards, women are considered "First-Class Citizens." They are protected by law from any form of adversity, including both subjective and objective forms of discrimination. While some studies have shown that white women may receive lesser punishments for crimes compared to black women, this is more a reflection of broader societal issues than an intentional oversight in the legal system. The concept of gender equality under the law has been largely successful.

Economic Equality vs. Biological Reality

Another critical aspect of gender equality is economic equality, which can be further divided into two distinct concepts: equal opportunity and equal outcome. The pursuit of economic equity often leads to discussions about the gender pay gap and the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions.

From an economic standpoint, the claim that a female candidate should not be hired because “let’s not hire this person, they’ll make us all richer, she’s a woman” is a clear violation of economic rationality. This pseudoscientific notion fails to consider the broader economic benefits of diversity in the workplace. Additionally, the assertion that gender bias prevents women from reaching top positions lacks credible evidence and is driven more by ideology than empirical data.

When it comes to achieving gender equity, the fight becomes significantly more challenging. To achieve equal economic outcomes, state intervention would be required—such as imposing strict gender compositions on corporate boards. This would necessitate infringing upon individual freedoms to an extent that most individuals would find unacceptable. Furthermore, it requires preventing women from choosing careers where they are overrepresented, such as in education, healthcare, and the liberal arts. This approach aligns more closely with fascist or communist ideologies, which many would argue is antithetical to the values of a free society.

Lastly, the pursuit of biological equality is a complex and evolving field. While genetic modification may offer solutions in the future, current biological and social realities indicate that there will always be differences between men and women, both in terms of physical strength and cognitive abilities.

In summary, while achieving true gender equality involves multifaceted legal and social reforms, it also requires a deep understanding of the underlying issues, including individual freedom, economic rationality, and the inherent biological differences between men and women.