One thing millennials and others in our society do seem to focus on besides their looks and social media has to be gender and sex issues. Take gender norms and gender equality, for example. This is an ongoing discussion (or should I say cat-fight) that has gone on for what appears to be centuries, yet has not been solved or satisfied (at least to millennials’ standards).

The ever reliable Merriam Webster defines feminism (the noun) as:

Women and men alike have fought over feminism for ages, but especially so in the past few decades. The question as to whether women and men are equal (and whether they should be) has circulated and been debated for much longer than needed, but here we are.

      If you ask me, I personally do not agree with most feminists and all of the incessant bickering they do. I believe we have done a fine job already making sure the men and women of our country are equal and that they are treated as such. All we seem to hear about nowadays in regards to gender issues and feminism is the constant whining and complaining from women about how unfair life is for them and how men are pigs, women are treated as second-class citizens, and so on. Deborah Tannen, writer of "His Politeness is Her Powerlessness," delves into this kind of rambunctious, idiotic chatter and turns it into what could be novels. Tannen claims, "Whether women or men are direct or indirect differs; what remains constant is that the women’s style is negatively evaluated—seen as lower in status than the men’s" which is blatantly false and absurd. Women are not treated as measly little mice to be squished and squandered. This narrative that is being illustrated only adds to the problem and isn't helping anyone. Writer David Brooks creates a similar picture to Tannen, but for men. He details the life of a man and how the way society treats him (and other men) can shape men's lives and outlooks, saying, "If the official high school culture was über-nurturing, he’d be über-crude. If it valued cooperation and sensitivity, he’d devote his mental energies to violent video games and aggressive music. If college wanted him to be focused and tightly ambitious, he’d exile himself into a lewd and unsupervised laddie subculture. He’d have vague high ambitions but no realistic way to realize them." This is so undeniably inaccurate and outrageous that it’s makes sense why members of our society are so coddled and and messed up. If you coddle someone you are just creating problems down the line--they will be disillusioned when they actually grow up and mature like everyone else when they realize the world won’t hand them everything for free and treat them like the little snowflake they are. If you don’t coddle people and you instead treat them like they deserve to be treated--as members of society who should work to create a future for themselves and others, people who should be smart enough to make it on their own and fend for themselves, people who can take a punch and get back up, etc.--we wouldn’t have any issues. People like Brooks and Tannen have furthered this narrative that only serves them and hurts everyone else as a whole. The plight of women (and men for that matter) that many narrate is not existent in America. We are a country that gives rights and freedom to those who honestly don't even deserve it. Our people demand all of these benefits and security because they feel wronged and butt hurt when they're really just entitled, lazy, and clearly not intelligent enough to get up off their rear ends and add to the functioning and progress of society.

      If you look at our military and law enforcement, it is beyond evident that we have equality. For example, women and men are paid the exact same throughout their time in service in the military, no matter the branch or rank. They have the same uniform, (besides service dress, for good reason) they are disciplined the same, they receive the same benefits, they are treated with the same respect, and so on. The main difference or inequality in our military is the fact that men and women are held to different physical standards in fitness levels and in weight levels. This is due to the physical differences in capability between the two genders, and that is all. In other occupations, this may not be the same, but from what I have observed in our country in the short seventeen years I’ve been alive, this is what I’ve noted to be true. We, as a human race, are equals. The very notion that somehow we're entirely different is complete BS. Men and women indeed have physiological, emotional, and mental differences, but that is due to the fact that we are divided by two genders: male and female, as well as the fact that we're all individuals. I believe we have gender equality as is, and that if feminists and all of the other lunatics out there believe we need more equality, then let’s make the draft mandatory for men and women first. How about that? Sounds great, doesn’t it? That’s what I thought.

      Another topic that has constantly been of apparent importance is gender norms. Oh how sweet the sound! Gender norms! The ludicrous, useless little rules and customs we’ve all made and enforced, all so that we can continue to stunt our growth as a society. We all know about gender norms and their place in our society today. These rules and norms hold back what thoughts and ideas we have as a nation, limiting our ability to express ourselves and speak out about things that could easily improve our communication, relationships and development as a society. Take gender norms, like the fact that men have to be a certain way and women have to be a certain way, the fact that men have to be brooding, hard-headed, unfeeling, and masculine Ken dolls, or the fact that women have to be quiet, polite, soft, fragile porcelain dolls, always ready to serve others. It’s all a load of BS that we’ve placed on each other as humans, standards that I, frankly, want to destroy and eradicate from society for all eternity. The traditional idea of men being perfect gentlemen, hyper masculine, tough and strong is romantic, but dangerous and holding us back as a society. The same goes for the idea that women must always be obedient to others, reserve their thoughts and ideas to themselves, that they must look absolutely gorgeous and appealing at all times, that they must be ever so gentle is horse crap. All of the standards and norms we have for both genders are horrendous. None of us are remotely perfect and can achieve the kind of perfection we all force on each other. We are all individuals with our own differences and ideas that should be expressed and developed rather than held back and quieted.

In my experience, as a female, and in my own eyes, I believe that men and women are no different from each other at our surface and should be given the same opportunities and chances to prove ourselves as a result. We cannot treat one gender as greater or superior to the other, for we're one and the same and that will never change, no matter how much time passes us by. Even though women can be annoying and weak, men can also be annoying and weak, and even though men can be strong and resilient, women can do the same. It may be rare to find a strong, capable woman, but it is possible to find one. The argument that women are weak or incapable of doing the same things as men is false and should not exist. Women need to get up, quit complaining about their menstrual cycles and what they believe they have as disadvantages as women and get on with their lives. Feeling sorry for yourself or pushing the claim that you are at an disadvantage over your gender is one of the most stupidest things you could do. If you're mad or upset that you are being treated as less than others, maybe you should act like you're equal to others and prove that you are just as capable as everyone else. Using gender or a biological difference as a reason why you're better or worse than another is plain dumb and only acts as a crutch for yourself and others. To all the ladies out there that pull that kind of nonsense: cut the crap and own up to your weaknesses and capabilities.

      One way to solve the gender inequality debate and to end these gender norms that I believe would be best would be: would be for everyone to get up off their butts and actually go out and be productive members of society, quit being such sissies, and get to work. There are more important things to worry about and focus in this life that should take precedence. As soon as we stop being snowflakes and getting all caught up in our feelings and start being useful and resourceful, the sooner we can actually grow as a society and race. Last time I checked, when we’re all on our deathbeds or breathing our last breaths, we won’t be concerned with whether men and women are equal enough or whether men and women should act a certain way. Therefore, let’s get our heads out of our behinds and take initiative while we still have time.