2030- SDG 5- Gender Equality- Ted talks

Summary

The script discusses gender disparities and the historical dominance of men in power, despite women's biological differences and capabilities. It highlights the need for a shift from physical strength to creativity and intelligence as leadership qualities. The speaker addresses the invisibility of men in gender discussions, using linguistic examples to show how language can perpetuate victim blaming. The talk advocates for gender equality, emphasizing its benefits for men, society, and businesses, and calls for a redefinition of masculinity to end violence against women.

Takeaways

• 🚹 Men and women have different biological attributes, but these differences should not dictate power dynamics.
• 🌍 Despite being slightly outnumbered, men hold most positions of power and prestige.
• 💪 Historically, physical strength was key for leadership, but in modern times, creativity and intelligence are more valued.
• 🧠 There is no gender bias in creativity, intelligence, or innovation; both men and women are equally capable.
• 🏆 The concept of gender often focuses on women, but it should encompass men's roles and behaviors as well.
• 🗣️ Language and sentence structure can unconsciously shift focus away from male perpetrators in discussions of domestic violence.
• 👥 Victim blaming is prevalent, often due to societal structures that focus on the actions and choices of victims rather than perpetrators.
• 🔍 To prevent violence, we must ask why men perpetrate it, rather than focusing solely on the experiences of women.
• 🌐 Gender equality is not just ethically right; it's beneficial for individuals, companies, and countries.
• 👨‍👦‍👦 Raising boys with a different understanding of manhood can lead to a more equitable society.
• ❤️ Men's liberation is intertwined with women's liberation, and both genders should work together towards equality.

Q & A

What is the main point the speaker is making about the differences between men and women?

The speaker is highlighting that while there are biological differences between men and women, such as hormones and physical strength, these differences do not justify the historical dominance of men in positions of power and prestige. They argue that in today's world, leadership should be based on creativity, intelligence, and innovation, where men and women have equal potential.

Why does the speaker mention Wangari Maathai's quote about women in leadership?

The speaker uses Wangari Maathai's quote to illustrate the disparity between the number of women in the world and their underrepresentation in leadership roles. This quote serves to emphasize the gender inequality that persists despite the fact that women make up a slight majority of the world's population.

What is the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act mentioned in the script, and why is it significant?

The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a United States law that amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964, clarifying that each paycheck that discriminates on the basis of sex is a new violation, allowing victims of pay discrimination to file a lawsuit within 180 days of receiving a discriminatory paycheck. It is significant because it addresses the gender pay gap and helps to ensure equal pay for equal work.

How does the speaker describe the evolution of gender roles?

The speaker suggests that while society has evolved, our ideas of gender have not kept pace. They point out that many people equate gender issues with women's issues, neglecting the fact that men also have a gender that shapes their experiences and behaviors.

What analogy does the speaker use to explain the invisibility of the dominant group in discussions about race, sexual orientation, and gender?

The speaker uses the analogy of race to illustrate how the dominant group (white people) is often overlooked in discussions about race, just as heterosexual people are in discussions about sexual orientation and men are in discussions about gender. This analogy highlights how the dominant group's experiences are rarely questioned or examined due to their privileged status.

What is the 'man box' referred to in the script, and why is it problematic?

The 'man box' is a term used to describe the collective socialization of men, which includes stereotypes and expectations about masculinity such as being tough, strong, courageous, dominating, and not showing emotions except anger. It is problematic because it limits men's emotional expression and reinforces harmful gender norms that contribute to issues like domestic violence and gender inequality.

Why does the speaker argue that focusing on men is crucial for preventing domestic and sexual violence?

The speaker argues that focusing on men is crucial because the current cognitive structure and language often blame victims (often women) for violence instead of examining the actions and motivations of the perpetrators (often men). By shifting the focus to men, we can better understand the root causes of violence and work towards preventing it.

What is the significance of the sentence structure exercise involving 'John beat Mary'?

The sentence structure exercise demonstrates how language can subtly shift focus away from the perpetrator (John) to the victim (Mary). This linguistic shift mirrors societal tendencies to focus on the experiences and choices of victims rather than addressing the actions and motivations of the perpetrators, which is crucial for preventing violence.

Why does the speaker say that gender equality is not only ethical but also in the interest of men?

The speaker asserts that gender equality is in the interest of men because it aligns with what men say they want in their lives, such as happiness, fulfillment, and healthy relationships. Additionally, studies show that gender equality is correlated with higher levels of happiness in countries and better performance in companies, making it a win-win situation.

What role does the speaker believe boys and men should play in achieving gender equality?

The speaker believes that boys and men should be actively engaged in achieving gender equality. They emphasize that it is necessary to change the socialization of boys and redefine manhood to break the cycle of violence and inequality. Men's participation is seen as essential for the empowerment of women and girls.

How does the speaker envision a world with gender equality for their daughter Jade?

The speaker envisions a world where men behave without dominating, are comfortable with having feelings and emotions, promote equality, and value women as friends and partners. This world would be one where the liberation of men is tied to the liberation of women, creating a more equitable and harmonious society.

Outlines

00:00

🚹 Gender Dynamics and Historical Power Imbalance

The paragraph discusses the biological and hormonal differences between men and women, and how these differences historically influenced societal structures, granting men more positions of power. It highlights the irony that despite women being slightly more numerous, they are underrepresented in leadership roles. The script references Wangari Maathai's observation about the scarcity of women in higher positions and the gender pay gap issue, exemplified by the 'Lilly Led Better Act'. It argues that the physical strength advantage, which was crucial in the past, is no longer the key to leadership in a modern, more intellectually and creatively driven world. The paragraph also addresses the misconception that gender issues are only about women, using analogies with race and sexual orientation to illustrate how the dominant group's perspective is often overlooked or rendered invisible in discussions.

05:00

👥 Challenging Victim Blaming and Engaging Men in Gender Equality

This section of the script addresses the problem of victim blaming, particularly in the context of domestic and sexual violence. It points out how societal structures and unconscious biases often lead to questioning the victim's actions rather than focusing on the perpetrator's behavior. The speaker suggests that to prevent violence, we need to shift our focus from the victim to the perpetrator and question the societal norms and institutions that contribute to such behaviors. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of making gender issues visible to men and engaging them in promoting gender equality. It argues that gender equality is not just ethically right but also beneficial for everyone, including men, as it leads to happier societies and more successful companies. The 'man box' concept is introduced to describe the narrow definition of masculinity that perpetuates harmful stereotypes and behaviors.

10:01

🌟 Men as Agents of Change for Gender Equality

The final paragraph is a call to action for men to become part of the solution to gender inequality and violence against women. It emphasizes that men's violence against women is a serious health concern and that men must take responsibility for changing the narrative. The speaker shares a personal perspective, envisioning a world where his daughter can grow up without fear of domination or objectification. He calls for a collective effort to raise sons who understand that it's acceptable to express emotions, promote equality, and value women as equals. The paragraph concludes with a powerful message that men's liberation is intertwined with women's liberation, highlighting the importance of collaboration and mutual support in achieving gender equality.

Keywords

💡Gender Equality

Gender equality refers to the equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of individuals, regardless of their gender. In the video, it is emphasized as a fundamental ethical imperative and a societal goal that benefits everyone, not just women. The speaker argues that gender equality is not a zero-sum game but a win-win situation that can lead to increased happiness and productivity in various aspects of life, such as within companies and countries.

💡Physical Strength

Physical strength is the capacity of an individual to exert force or power through their muscles. The video discusses how physical strength was historically valued as the most important attribute for survival and leadership, which often led to men占据ing positions of power due to their general physical superiority over women. However, the speaker points out that in today's world, leadership is more associated with creativity, intelligence, and innovation, attributes not determined by physical strength.

💡Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that regulate various functions, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. The script mentions hormones to highlight the biological differences between men and women, such as the presence of testosterone in men which contributes to their generally greater physical strength. However, the speaker also notes that there are no hormones that determine creativity, intelligence, or innovation, suggesting that these attributes are equally accessible to both genders.

💡Dominant Group

The dominant group refers to the majority or the group that holds the most power and influence in a society. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses how the dominant group, often men in many societies, rarely has its dominance questioned or examined. This lack of introspection and invisibility in discourse allows dominant systems to maintain and reproduce themselves, as seen in the example of how men's roles in domestic violence are often overlooked.

💡Victim Blaming

Victim blaming is the act of holding the victim of a crime or wrongdoing responsible for their own misfortune. The video script addresses how the societal focus on the actions, choices, and appearances of women can lead to victim blaming, rather than examining the actions of the perpetrator. The speaker argues for a shift in perspective to prevent violence by asking questions about the behavior of the aggressor, rather than the victim.

💡The Man Box

The 'man box' is a concept introduced in the video to describe the collective socialization of men, which includes traditional masculine traits and behaviors such as being tough, strong, and dominant. The speaker criticizes this construct, suggesting that it is harmful and limiting for men, and calls for a redefinition of manhood that promotes equality and emotional health. The 'man box' is presented as part of the problem that needs to be addressed to achieve gender equality.

💡Objectification

Objectification is the act of treating a person as an object or a thing, rather than as a subject with feelings and desires. In the video, objectification is discussed as a foundational issue that contributes to violence against women. The speaker emphasizes that men's violence against women is an epidemic and that changing the way society views and treats women is crucial to solving this problem.

💡Socialization

Socialization refers to the process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors of their culture. The video discusses how boys are socialized to conform to traditional masculine roles, which can lead to harmful behaviors and attitudes. The speaker calls for a change in the socialization of boys to promote healthier, more equitable definitions of manhood.

💡Gender Roles

Gender roles are the expectations of behavior, tasks, and activities that a society considers appropriate for individuals based on their gender. The video challenges traditional gender roles, which often place men in positions of power and dominance and women in subordinate roles. The speaker argues for a reevaluation and transformation of these roles to support gender equality.

💡Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a concept that recognizes that aspects of one's social and political identities, such as gender, race, and class, do not exist separately but interact with each other. The video touches on how various factors like religion, sports culture, and economics intersect with gender and contribute to the complex issue of gender inequality. Understanding intersectionality is crucial for a comprehensive approach to addressing gender issues.

💡Ethical Imperative

An ethical imperative is a moral obligation or duty to act in a certain way. In the video, supporting gender equality is framed not only as an ethical imperative but also as being in the best interest of men. The speaker suggests that embracing gender equality aligns with ethical values and can lead to better outcomes for individuals and societies.

Highlights

Men and women have different biological abilities, but gender roles have evolved less.

Men physically stronger historically led societies, but today leadership requires creativity and intelligence.

Despite being a minority, men hold most positions of power and prestige.

The Lily lead better law highlights the gender pay gap where equally qualified men and women are paid differently.

Language and sentence structure can unconsciously shift focus away from men in discussions about gender.

The dominant group's gender is often overlooked in discussions about gender issues.

Domestic violence conversations often exclude men, even though it's centrally about them.

Victim blaming is common and our cognitive structure often focuses on the victim rather than the perpetrator.

To prevent violence, we must ask questions about the perpetrators' actions and motivations.

Gender equality is not just ethically right, but also beneficial for men.

Gender equality is correlated with higher happiness levels in countries.

Gender equal companies have happier workforces and better performance.

The 'man box' is a social construct defining masculinity that needs to be challenged.

Men's violence against women is an epidemic and the number one health concern for women.

Men must be part of the solution to gender inequality and violence.

Redefining manhood involves promoting emotional openness and equality.

Men's liberation is tied to women's liberation.

Transcripts

[Music]

now men and women are different we have

different hormones we have different

sexual organs we have different

biological abilities women can have

babies men

can't at least not

yet men have testosterone and are in

general physically stronger than women

there's slightly more women than men in

the world about 52% of the world's

population is female but most of the

positions of power and Prestige are

occupied by

men the late Kenyan Nobel Peace laurate

wangari maai put it simply and well when

she said the higher you go the fewer

women they

are in the recent us elections we kept

hearing of the Lily lead better law and

if we go beyond the nicely alliterative

name of that law it was really about a

man and a woman doing the same job being

equally qualified and the man being paid

more because he's a man

so in a literal way men rule the world

and this made sense a thousand years ago

because human beings lived then in a

world in which physical strength was the

most important attribute for survival

the physically stronger person was more

likely to

lead and men in general are physically

stronger of course there are many

exceptions but today we live in a vastly

different world the person more likely

to lead is not the physically stronger

person it is the more creative person

the more intelligent person the more

Innovative person and there are no

hormones for those attributes a man is

as likely as a woman to be intelligent

to be creative to be

Innovative we have evolved but it seems

to me that our ideas of gender have not

evolved because a lot of people hear the

word gender and they think it means

women so they think that gender issues

is synonymous with women's ISS isues

there's some confusion about the term

gender and actually let me illustrate

that confusion by way of analogy so

let's talk for a moment about race in

the us when we hear the word race a lot

of people think that means

African-American Latino Asian-American

Native American South a South Asian

Pacific island are on and on a lot of

people when they hear the word sexual

orientation think it means gay lesbian

bisexual and a lot of people when they

hear the word gender think it means

women in each case the dominant group

doesn't get paid attention to right as

if White people don't have some sort of

racial Identity or belong to some racial

category or construct as if heterosexual

people don't have a sexual

orientation as if men don't have a

gender this is one of the ways that

dominant systems maintain and reproduce

themselves which is to say the dominant

group is rarely challenged to even think

about its dominance because that's one

of the key characteristics of power and

privilege the ability to go unexamined

lacking introspection and in fact being

rendered invisible in large measure in

the discourse course about issues that

are primarily about us and this is

amazing how this works in Domestic and

Sexual Violence how men have been

largely erased from so much of the

conversation about a subject that is

centrally about men and I want to share

with you this um exercise that

illustrates on the sentence structure

level how the way that we think

literally the way that we use

language conspires to keep our attention

off of men this is about domestic

violence in particular but you can plug

in other uh analogues this comes from

the work of the feminist linguist Julia

Penelope it starts with a very basic

English sentence John

beat Mary that's a good English sentence

John is the subject beat is the verb

Mary is the object good sentence now

we're going to move to the second

sentence which says the same thing in

the passive voice

Mary was

beaten by

John and now a whole lot has happened in

one sentence we've gone from John beat

Mary to Mary was beaten by John we've

shifted our focus in one sentence from

John to Mary and you can see John is

very close to the end of the sentence

well close to dropping off the map of

our psychic plane the third sentence

John is dropped and we have Mary was

beaten and now it's all about Mary we're

not even thinking about John it's

totally focused on Mary over the past

generation the term we've used

synonymous with beaten is battered so we

have Mary was

battered and the final sentence in in

this sequence flowing from the others is

Mary is a battered woman so now Mary's

very identity Mary is a

battered

woman is what was done to her by John in

the first instance but we've

demonstrated that John has long ago left

the conversation now those of us who

work in Domestic and Sexual Violence

field know that victim blaming is

pervasive in this realm which is to say

blaming the person to whom something was

done rather than the person who did it

and we say things like why do these

women go out with these men why are they

attracted to these men why do they keep

going back what was she wearing at that

party what what a stupid thing to do why

was she drinking with that group of guys

in that hotel

room this is victim blaming and there

are numerous reasons for it but one of

them is that our whole cognitive

structure is set up to blame victims

this is all unconscious our whole

cognitive structure is set up to ask

questions about women and women's

choices and what they're doing thinking

and wearing and I'm not going to shout

down people who ask questions about

women okay it's a legitimate thing to

ask but let's be clear asking questions

about Mary is not going to get us

anywhere in terms of preventing violence

we have to ask a different set of

questions you can see where I'm going

with this right the questions are not

about Mary they're about John the

questions include things like why does

John beat Mary why is domestic violence

still a big problem in the United States

and all over the world what what's going

on why do so many men abuse physically

emotionally and other verbally in other

ways the women and girls and the men and

boys that they claim to love what's

going on with men what are the what what

are we doing here in our society and in

the world what what are the roles of

various institu tions in helping to

produce abuse of men what's the role of

religious belief systems the the sports

culture the pornography culture the the

family structure economics and how that

intersects and race and ethnicity and

how that intersects how how does all

this work and then once we start making

those kind of connections and asking

those important and big questions then

we can talk about how can we can how can

we be transformative in other words how

can we do something differently how can

we change the practices how can we

change the socialization of boys and the

definitions of manhood that lead to

these current outcomes these are the

kind of questions that we need to be

asking and the kind of work that we need

to be doing but if we're endlessly focus

on what women are doing and thinking in

relationships or elsewhere we're not

going to get to that piece so making

gender visible to men is the first step

to engaging men to support gender

equality now when men first hear about

gender equality when they first start

thinking about it they often think many

many men think well that's right right

that's fair that's just that's the

ethical

imperative but not all men why should we

support gender equality of course it's

fair it's right and it's just but more

than that gender equality is also in our

interest as men if you listen to what

men say about what they want in their

lives gender equality is actually a way

for us to get the lives we want to live

gender equality is good for countries it

turns out according to most studies it

turns out that those countries that are

the most gender equal are also the

countries that score highest on the

happiness scale and that's not just

because they're all in

Europe even within Europe those

countries that are more gendere equal

also have the highest levels of

happiness it is also good for companies

research by Catalyst and others has has

shown conclusively that the more gendere

equal companies are the the better the

uh the the better it is for workers the

happier their labor force is they have

lower job turnover they have lower

levels of attrition they have an easier

time recruiting they have higher rates

of retention higher job satisfaction

higher rates of productivity gender

equality is not a zero sum game it's not

a win lose it is a win-win for everyone

and what we also know is we cannot fully

Empower women and girls unless we engage

boys and men we know this growing up as

a boy we was taught that men had to be

tough had to be strong had to be

courageous dominating no pain no

emotions with the exception of anger and

definitely no fear that men are in

charge which means women are not that

men lead and you should just follow and

just do what we say

that men are superior women are inferior

that men are strong women are

weak that women of less

value property of men and objects

particularly sexual

objects I've later come to know that to

be the collective socialization of

men better known as the man boox see

this man box has in it all the ingred

ingredients of how we Define what it

means to be a man and I also want to say

without a doubt there are some wonderful

wonderful absolutely wonderful things

about being a man well at the same time

there's some stuff that's just straight

up

twisted and we really need to begin to

challenge look at it and and really get

in the process of deconstructing

redefining what we come to know as

manhood you see we have to come to

understand that less value property and

objectification is the foundation and

the violence can't happen without it so

we're very much a part of the solution

as well as the problem the Center for

Disease Control says that men's violence

against women is that epidemic

proportions is the number one Health

concern for women in this country and

abroad so quickly I like to just say you

know this is my love of my life my

daughter Jade the world I Envision for

her how do I want men to be be acting

and behaving I need you on board I need

you with me I need you working with me

and me working with you on how we raise

our sons and teach them to be men that

is okay to not be dominating that is

okay to have feelings and emotions that

is okay to promote equality that it's

okay to have women who are just friends

and that's it that it's okay to be whole

that my Liberation as a man is tied to

your Liberation as a woman

[Music]