By NANCY HEDGE

The inequality between men and women hurts our society.

There was a time when the societal norm was for men to work and women to stay home and raise the children. The difference in the function of the sexes was evident. Each had a role and both seemed to be content in these positions.

These strict roles have changed over time, due to both a need and a desire. The majority of people, regardless of sex, function in the workplace and at home in the same capacity. The roles and responsibilities of the sexes have become equal. This equality should be reflected in all areas of our lives and the imbalance in the treatment of the sexes should cease to exist. This inequality exists in many areas of our daily lives, including the lack of control that women have over their bodies.  

Birth control for both sexes should be approached with the same philosophy. Currently, contraception for men is readily available at any drugstore or grocery store, while women’s contraception is an issue.  

Condoms have never come under attack by religious groups, while the preventative essential benefits of the Affordable Care Act may be altered to exclude contraception for any woman working with a religious affiliated group. This would put the control of birth on men alone. Since women are the bearers of children, and at times, the sole supporters of those children, they should be the ones determining whether a pregnancy ought to occur.

Ironically, Viagra is covered by insurance, while the availability to contraception for women seems to be up for constant debate.

Why is the accessibility to contraception for women a question for religious groups, while the only non-surgical form of contraception for men remains available in most stores? 

Why shouldn’t women have autonomy over their bodies?

Why do we put so much emphasis on men and their sexual stamina and pleasure, but little on the outcome of that same stamina and pleasure?

This focus carries over to the courts.    

Rape continues in this country and the justice system still holds the victims accountable for the actions of their rapist.

In Montana, a 14-year-old girl was raped by her teacher, who received a 30-day sentence by Judge G. Todd Baugh who stated that the child “seemed older than her chronological age” and was “as much in control of the situation” as the teacher. 

Since that ruling, the 14-year-old girl has taken her own life. What is happening here? Why are we promoting a society where women cannot find vindication? Why aren’t more men willing to join women in the fight against this type of gender-based violence?  

State Sen. Richard Black of Virginia feels that spousal rape is not a crime. (He is running for Congress, by the way). He believes if you are “sleeping in the same bed” and “she’s in a nightie,” then she’s free game.

Are we still unwilling to hold men accountable for their actions and to adhere to the idea that they have no control over their behavior — that when it comes to sex, they can not differentiate between right and wrong?

When a woman says NO, it means NO.  It doesn’t matter how sexually excited the male is or whether there is a marriage certificate in close proximity. He must control himself.  We are not animals, after all.  

The most blatant inequality between the sexes is evident every payday. Today, an equal number of women and men occupy the workforce, however women only earn $0.77 to every dollar earned by a man.  Why do we continue to dispute whether women deserve the same pay as men?  Why are we content with women and children living in poverty, although women are providing for themselves and their children?  How is this acceptable to any gender, or any political party?  

Women are an equally contributing part of society.  It is time they are treated as such.

•

Nancy Hedge, who claims to be the “master of all I survey,” is a computer programmer who lives in Asheville.