We Are Human

This week we have talked a lot about gender roles. How they play a part in society and the media. The media does “great job” on enforcing these male/female stereotypes. From commercials with young girls wearing “sexy” clothes and guys playing with “toy guns” to TV shows like the Jersey shore were in order to get a girl you have to have the 6 pack, and tan.  Even in our home these gender roles can be present.  When we think only the “mom” should cook or clean and we seen is as “not normal” for the dad to control those things in the house hold. Like in class everyone was surprised when one student told how if her dad leaves the house that her mom doesn’t know what to do and the house is a disaster. When we usually are taught the opposite.  We talked about gender roles in a lot of aspects in our daily life but forgot one place. Religion.  The religions (that I’m educated in) carry over societies view on gender roles. Or maybe society got these view from religion? In Orthodox Judaism the man is the only one who can be a rabbi. Men and women are even separated in services to carry on these roles.   Also in Christianity the priest and religious figures are always a man.  Even if we look back at the torah or bible the main prophets are usually men. They are seen as “heroic” just like society today views men should be like.  Yes there are some females that have played important roles in these religious texts but they are not described or seen as heroic as the males.  One religion that I have just learned about defies today’s society’s gender roles is Wicca. This is spiritual religion focusing on connecting with nature and the 4 elements of earth, fire, water, air and the spirit. Unlike popular believe Wiccan’s are not the “witches” seen in harry potter or wicked. They are not “evil” or even believe in evil it’s self.  Yet during this samhain known to most as Halloween they are frowned upon and misunderstood.  One major difference between Wicca and Judaism or Christianity is the believe that men and women are seen as equals. They don’t have the “gender roles” that only males should lead spiritual rituals.  Even their g-d and g-ddess are treated the same. The g-d Cern and g-ddess Brigid are both worshiped together. They have women lead ceremonies and covens not just men.  So maybe religion influences today’s society view of the “macho men” and “Barbie doll girls” or maybe it doesn’t? Either way we need to learn to not conform to the negative stereotypes. To be our own individual self. No matter what we see ourselves as (man or women) we  still have the commonality of being human.