Journal Entry 2

In the past CDE lessons, discussions have been focused on the progress of the role of women and in Chinese and American societies. Palpably, the status of women has taken huge strides under the influence of the feminist movements in respective societies, as women in both societies are provided with near equal career opportunities as men. As such, women are perceived to have shrugged off the orthodox label of being the weaker sex. However, much still has to be done before the near dream of gender equality can be realized, as patriarchal values remain evident. For example, Chinese women are still deprived of chances to hold pivotal roles in the government, and require higher tests scores than males to gain entry into top universities whereas pregnant American women are pushed out of jobs for their perceived incapability of performing the job. This vividly points out how discrimination against females still pervades in both societies (albeit in different contexts) and for all the progress made to raise the stature of women, gender discrimination, which impedes the ascension of women's status, remains a pressing issue unsolved. Hence, in both societies, although similar and much progress has been made given how females in both societies are bestowed with similar career opportunities as men, it seems there is still an equally long way to go before we can declare that women in either society are able to hold their footing against males.

As both societies fervently pursue gender equality, it is essential to ask ourselves: What does gender equality constitute? Can it ever be achieved? In a bid to raise the social stature of women, feminists have eagerly sought to provide women with equal rights and opportunities. We can see that the crux of the many efforts to promote equity between both sexes has been to provide the opportunity for women to scale the once unassailable heights only exclusive to men in terms of career development. The Feminists movement in America in 1960 - 70 emphasized on dismantling workplace inequality, such as denial of access to better jobs and salary inequity. Feminists movements in China has reduced the gap of gender employment rates. As such, given the high levels of accentuation to provide women with equal chances as that of men, many concluded that gender equality is simply about the provision of equivalent opportunities for women to ascend on all fronts just like men, and the eradication of gender discrimination. 

But is this all gender equity is about? I doubt so. There may be an abundance in opportunities, a wide array of chances for females to scale new heights, but true gender equity can only be achieved when patriarchal values which humans have held so deeply since the start of human age can be uprooted and utterly eradicated. It is not just about offering the same opportunities or curbing discrimination on the surface, it is about perceiving one another as beings with the same abilities, seeing men just like women, and women just like men. On this premise, gender equity can only be consigned as a distant reality. Fundamentally speaking, women and men are born with distinctively different biological traits. Since the beginning of human age, an average male being is born physically more buffed than his female counterpart. Besides physicality, both genders have diverse character traits as well. Women tend to be more meticulous yet emotional; whereas men tend to be less careful but more objective in decision making. This is an undeniable truth which had held true since the first humans existed. As such, in all logical sense, males possess a higher potential than females to bring home sufficient bacon for the family; whereas females are consigned to play obsequious roles such as taking care of the family. Such values have been deeply entrenched, implanted and internalized within the thoughts and actions of both women and men even in the contemporary society, as reflected by the higher propensity for women in America to take on the caregiver role when both husband and wife are working and for Chinese women to lie about their marital status to be employment. For all the efforts put in (and is going to be put in) to ascend the status of women with the provision of education and career opportunities, the grim and harsh truth that males are superior still lingers on the edges of many minds, and it will take a mammoth effort and much time to utterly usurp this long-held value, and not just merely the implementation of more policies to curb gender discrimination. It is about uprooting deeply entrenched values, and although introducing more policies to provide women with equal opportunities undeniably promotes progress in females' status, much still need to be done to eradicate patriarchal values from the roots of people's minds before we can declare that gender equality exists. Indeed, the progress has been made, but the sobering fact that gender equity can only be a distant reality will remain true in years to come.

Another topic of discussion in CDE lessons has been the changes in political activeness of youths in both Chinese and American societies. Chinese youths are perceived to hold distinctively different attitudes compared to their politically fervent parents and grandparents, as they are described to be ignorant, apathetic and disengaged from getting involved in political affairs. Many attribute such indifference to the one-child policy which has engendered youths who are solipsistic and pragmatic in pursuing material wealth. Given how youths perceive participation in politics as unsolicited in the course of chasing prosperity, they become apolitical. However, as much as I find it difficult to disagree with the above points, proponents of these claims have only focused on the negative side of such apathy, failing to see this apathy in a more positive light. Though it is irrefutable that the lack of involvement in political activities does has its negative implications (such as political stagnation), it has its benefits as well. The lack in participation in political reforms and activities may actually signify that people are sufficiently satisfied and confident in the government's plans and optimistic about the country's economic outlook. Though some may cite possible burgeoning dissent about the government's integrity (given the pervasiveness of scandals of government officials), the confidence stemming from the country's rapid economic growth (and hence improved living standards) has outweighed such discontentment. The citizens' confidence is particularly imperative in ensuring the society remains peaceful and calm with the necessary fundamentals to attract foreign investors and tourists, all of which are important in laying the path for sustained and robust economic developments. Hence, although I acknowledge that being politically active may be equally essential for a country's political developments, it is not all gloomy about Chinese youths being indifferent to politics. 

In America, many contend that the Obama's Presidential campaign in 2008 has been pivotal in transforming American youths from being politically apathetic to politically active. In particular, the youths have been instrumental in catapulting Obama to victory with their high ballot casting rates. This is indeed a positive and encouraging trend for America as this reflects how American youths are concerned with the country's affairs and value the personal voice and freedom they are empowered with. Moreover, many are unafraid in voicing their opinions on economic issues and foreign affairs - and do so with maturity and wisdom beyond their year. The country may be supplanted with a wide range of opinions which aids the government in making wiser and well-informed decisions for the welfare of the people. Additionally, this may enable America to grow as a more politically pluralistic country with citizens who are politically sensible and mature. In this sense, as long as this healthy trend continues, America could be said to be well poised for a bright, active and pluralistic political future.