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Women's Rights
By Sarah Gutman
International School Manila

I THINK women and men should be treated equally. Women are always expected to be very polite, helpless, neat and beautiful. I don't fit this traditional image of the female. I can't stand wearing dresses. I hate using make-up, though nail polish is okay. "Helpless" also doesn't describe me because I can stand up for myself with no problem. I know how to defend my points, and I use this talent a lot, in and out of school. I am not neat because I usually don't get good marks for neatness in school. I try to be neat, though it doesn't come naturally.

One remark that really bothers me is "You throw like a girl." What is that supposed to mean? Girls aren't athletic? Girls aren't strong? What?! Well whatever it is, it's probably wrong. I know lots of athletic girls. I even play tennis. And last year, the strongest person in class was a girl. She beat everyone in arm wrestling.

One other thing that bothers me is when I walk into a restaurant, all the waiters make compliments about how pretty I am. Unlike some girls, I'm not flattered. Am I supposed to be? If not, then what is my reaction? I don't know. My reaction is usually a weak smile.

Sarah is a Grade 5 student at International School Manila. She loves animals, lives with her parents, a kid brother and two dogs and 12 fishes.

 
January 15, 2000

Caught 'Em All Yet?

Women's Rights

Feature on Special Schools

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