The Skunk River Review - DMACC

During WWI (World War I) Princess Eugenie Shakhovskaya and Princess Sophie
Alexandrovna Dolgorunaya were among the first women to become military pilots in Europe.
Though American women pilots volunteered, none were taken seriously. Many of us know the
story of “The Gallant WASP Pilots.” Who flew every airplane made during WWII, which also
including an experimental jet at 350 mph at 35,000 feet, (flown by Ann Baumgartner in 1944).
They were not considered military pilots until decades later. History tells us that the first licensed
woman pilot in the United States was Harriet Quimby in 1911.
Similarly, social and cultural attitudes often discourage men who pursue “feminine roles”
such as homemaker, secretary, nurse, flight attendant, and housekeeper. Yet some famous names
as the best chefs in the world are not women but men. For example, Ming Tsai is one of the most
celebrated Chinese Chefs in Boston; Sanjeev Kapoor is one of the top chefs in India and Antonio
Carluccio is a much-celebrated Italian cook. It can be seen that men also have far excelled in the
area of cooking and emblaze their names among the best cooks of the world. Thus we can learn
that following concept of androgyny it can be stated that women and men are not born with
limited professions. Professions when experimented by both the genders can set examples and
make history for generations to explore new ideas.
Androgyny embraces the full range of human emotions and sensitivity. Men in some
societies are seen being aggressive, athletic, physically active, logical, and dominant in social
relationship with females. On the other hand, women include passivity, docility, fragility,
emotionality, and subordination to males. Following androgyny boys are taught that it is okay to
cry and that is perfectly natural when circumstances demand. It is natural that when one feels a
heavy heart it is better to cry so as to feel better. In this way, emotions are revealed and one feels
better. There is no such law written that boys are not allowed to cry.
Similarly, girls are taught to be aggressive and assertive when social situations call for
such behavior. It is important for girls to be aggressive and develop self-confidence so as to
protect them from physical harm and to form their individual personality in the world. Thus, it
becomes easy to express emotions and build a new sense of self-confidence among men and
women.
It is highly important for families and society to broaden their thinking regarding gender
roles, In order to make lives easy and for the prosperity of a nation as a whole. It is time for those
societies to welcome new changes into their traditions and leave behind old beliefs where a boy is
desired in a family and girls are aborted. When boys and girls are equally treated and no
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