Every day, when I walk out of my house, I see stereotypes. Stereotypes regarding gender, color, religion, and work. Most people understand that these mindsets hold no importance this day and age, but still succumb to societal pressure.

On a daily basis, gender stereotyping takes place, without people realizing it. I feel that years of boys having a superiority complex has shown in today’s working class. This idea of boys being better than girls is today fought by many.

For years, without my realizing it, I shrunk away when a boy opposed an idea. Today I realize the importance of feminism. Some people perceive this word with a negative connotation, but feminism is essentially the equality of every sex. This idea means a lot to me, and has become a part of me.

After years of oppression, finally women are getting the rights they deserve. Despite that, several members of our community still believe that men are better and deserve more than women, just because they are men. This idea has existed since the Stone Age. At that point, men would hunt for hide and women would clean, nourish the young, and cook.

I understand that traditions are an imperative to our lives, but what use are traditions when they get in your way and harm you? Several years ago, sati was practiced often. Sati was a ritual which stated that when a husband died, the wife needed to immerse herself in the funeral fire of the husband. This idea has evolved and is no longer practiced. The abolishment of this tradition was a great step in equalizing the status of the genders.

We can conclude that our surroundings change our perspectives, I also have been the victim of this. But times changes and ideas evolve. It’s important to understand ourselves.

Today, I view the world as a change station. It moves and changes with the times and the voices of people. I feel that feminism is shaping the world for a better tomorrow.