Equality, But for Whom
This morning, I read a news story about a man who was rejected from a nursery school teacher position not because he lacked qualifications, not because he lacked passion, but simply because he was a man. And honestly, that didn’t shock me as much as it should have. We live in a time where we talk constantly about equality, freedom of choice, and breaking stereotypes. But stories like this quietly expose the gap between what we say and what we practice. A man wanting to teach young children immediately raises eyebrows. People get uncomfortable. Questions are asked. Doubts creep in. Care, nurturing, and patience are still subconsciously labeled as “women’s traits,” and when a man embodies them, society doesn’t know where to place him. This isn’t an isolated case. Look at healthcare male nurses are still significantly fewer than female nurses. Not because men aren’t capable of care, but because society subtly (and sometimes openly) discourages them. We claim to want freedom of choice, but...