Essay on gender equality

The issue of gender equality has been widely discussed in philosophical literature and
mass media sources. In any democratic society, gender equality is considered to be an
important moral principle that should be followed by all members of society. Reviewing
ethical theories, it is possible to apply the core principles of each of the theories to the
issue of gender equality in order to identify the ethical theory that provides the most
satisfactory moral answer to the issue and the ethical theory that provides the least
satisfactory answer to the issue of gender equality. There are several ethical theories
that could be used to answer the issue of gender equality. The three theories that will be
discussed in this paper include utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and feminist theory.
Considering the key principles of these ethical theories, it is possible to identify the most
powerful theory that could be used to handle the issue of gender equality. Thesis
statement: Feminine theory captures basic moral insights in relation to gender equality
because it highlights the necessity to address women’s rights, providing guidelines for
morality and ethical consistency. This theory is the most satisfactory moral answer to
the issue of gender equality, comparing with utilitarianism and virtue ethics.

Equality (Gender): Basic Information about the Issue

The issue of equality, especially gender equality, is an important ethical issue
that requires proper investigation in order to find solutions. The issue of gender equality
is associated with human values and the socially constructed process of developing
values in humans. Moreover, the issue of gender equality combined with the emergence
of social movements may result in the promotion of gender equality at the global level.
According to Cady Stanton (2007), many organizations are focused on the promotion of
women’s rights. In Cady Stanton’s lecture “Subjection of women”, the author continues
to advocate a wide range of reforms that she considered crucial to achieving equality for
women” (p. 140). The author believes that women should be focused on developing and
establishing their independence in social life and in their relationships with men. Her
work inspired many feminists and contributed to the development of feminist
movements.

Besides, the issue of gender equality depends on the role of political authorities in
finding the proper solutions. Marilyn Friedman (2003) pays due attention to the issue of
gender quality in the book Autonomy, Gender, Politics. The author discusses this issue
highlighting the role of government in various practices of a cultural minority within the
society, in which women’s rights are violated (Friedman, 2003). According to Marilyn
Friedman (2003), “equality, rights, autonomy, justice, and liberty are all variously
interpreted by liberals themselves”(p. 182). The author believes that liberal government
and liberalism, in general, provide many solutions to the dilemma of equality of cultural
minorities, namely the issue of women’s rights.

Moreover, the significance of the issue of gender equality is reflected in everyday

situations. In the video Gender Stereotypes in Media, there are many examples, which
demonstrate men’s relation to women in different situations. As a matter of fact, the
media maintains gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are associated with different
gender role attitudes and place emphasis on the necessity to handle this issue in a
proper way. Gender stereotypes can be found at home, at work and even in schools.
These phrases prove the existence of stereotypes caused by gender inequality: “You
just a woman with a small brain” or “If I take you on, you don’t say anything, you don’t
question me …because you are a girl” (dsnook, 2009, Feb. 23). Stereotypes in
advertising are still prevalent, although much has been changed over the last 50 years
in the United States (jeeprollover, 2011, Oct. 26). Television plays a significant role in
reinforcing stereotypes. Besides, various female stereotypes presented in Disney Films
teach women different things that are associated with gender inequality. For example,
in Beauty and the Beast, girls are taught to accept that men are dominant in
relationships (jonesyy217, 2011, Dec. 12).

The application of three of the ethical theories to the issue of

gender equality
The issue of gender equality can be discussed based on the application of various
ethical theories, including utilitarianism, virtue ethics, and feminine ethics. Using the
core principles of each of the above-mentioned theories; it is possible to prove the fact
that the issue of gender equality is an ethical issue that requires a comprehensive moral
answer.

Utilitarianism is considered to be an ethical theory that helps to determine the rightness/

or wrongness of some issue on the basis of an estimated outcome. In other words,
utilitarianism is focused on the usefulness of something or somebody’s actions rather
than on moral obligation or moral duty (Jaggar, 2010; Louden, 2013). In the case of
gender equality, utilitarianism places emphasis on the outcomes of gender relations.
According to this ethical theory, the rightness/ or wrongness of human actions that
reflect gender inequality can be determined by the need for assessing the outcomes.
From women’s point of view, gender inequality brings evil consequences because
women’s rights are limited, and women’s independence is limited.

Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that highlights the role of character traits. In other
words, this ethical theory shifts the focus from the established rules and actions to the
proper character traits. Although virtue ethics cannot strengthen the role of morality in
human actions and decisions, moral reasoning needs the analysis of character traits
(Louden, 2013). For virtue ethics, the major object of morality and moral evaluation can
be an agent, but not his/her actions or decisions. Thus, this theory is centered on the
characters traits of agents (both good and bad agents). Their rights or wrong acts are
not taken into consideration by virtue ethicists (Louden, 2013). Virtue ethics can be
applied to the issue of gender equality. Moral character traits promoted by virtue ethics
can give an explanation to gender stereotyping and gender inequality, caused by evil
traits of character.

Feminine ethics is an ethical theory that is focused on the feminist approach to ethics.
The core principles of this ethical theory are aimed at correcting men’s biases that can
be found in other ethical theories. These biases discriminate women, promoting
women’s subordination, and disregarding women’s moral experience (Jaggar, 2010).
The major principle of this theory is to criticize the actions, behaviors, and practices of
men who discriminate women, perpetuate women’s subordination. This theory is based
on developing “philosophical accounts of the nature of morality and of the central moral
concepts that treat women’s moral experience respectfully” (Jaggar, 2010, p. 528).

Identification of the ethical theory that provides the most satisfactory

moral answer to the issue
There are both strengths and weaknesses, which can be identified for each of the
ethical theories as applied to the issue of gender equality. In order to identify the ethical
theory that provides the most satisfactory moral answer to the issue, it is necessary to
refer to the strengths of the ethical theories discussed in the previous section of the
paper.

To start with, the strengths of utilitarianism include two important characteristics of the
theory. First, utilitarianism is “a single principle, an absolute system with a potential
answer for every situation” (Pojman, 2004, p. 120). Second, this theory “seems to get to
the substance of morality”(Pojman, 2004, p. 120). These strengths are focused on the
usefulness of actions.

In addition, virtue ethics has its strengths. The strengths of virtue ethics include the
significance of personal integrity. The major strength of virtue ethics is that it provides
an opportunity for individuals to make decisions. Moreover, virtue ethics is closely
connected with practical ethics, reinforcing the autonomy of individuals (Louden, 2013).

Besides, feminine ethics has its strengths in relation to different issues. The primary
principles of feminist ethics include the promotion of the traits and values that are tied to
women. The strength of a feminine approach to ethics includes the reflection of
women’s experiences. This ethical theory is aimed at putting the agenda of
independence, liberation, and equality in the forefront (Jaggar, 2010).

Thus, it is possible to identify the theory that is better than others in the case of gender
equality is a feminine theory. This ethical theory helps to explain the necessity of the
struggle for equal rights in the workplace, at home, and in other public places. This
theory promotes the increased role of diversity in human society. Feminist approach is
the most satisfactory moral answer to the issue of gender equality because of
advocates changes in human society based on the interests of women. Women’s rights
in different sectors should be equal to men’s rights.

Identification of the ethical theory that provides the least satisfactory

answer to the issue
In order to identify the ethical theory that provides the least satisfactory answer
to the issue of gender equality, it is necessary to refer to the weaknesses of ethical
theories. The major weakness of utilitarianism as applied to the conception of equality is
that it is focused on certain rights and obligations and fair shares of resources. The
weakness of virtue ethics is that this theory is not oriented to principle-based ethics.
Virtue ethics may create certain social problems (Louden, 2013). The weakness of
feminine theory is focused on the fact that it deals only with oppression and
discrimination of women. Taking into consideration the weaknesses of the ethical
theories discussed in the paper, it is possible to identify the ethical theory that provides
the least satisfactory answer to the issue of gender equality.

Virtue ethics is an ethical theory that may praise some virtues that are considered to be
immoral. Besides, virtue ethics does not involve fundamental concepts, such as duty,
obligation, and rights. As a result, this theory cannot deal in a proper way with some
significant issues. Virtue ethics does not highlight the role of what makes the act or
behavior right and what makes it wrong. According to Louden (2013), virtue ethics is
dependent on the final end which influences human lives, but it may not be virtuous.
The issue of equality requires promoting moral principles in relation to women.

Conclusion
Thus, it is necessary to conclude that ethical theories can be applied to different
issues of public concern, including the issue of gender equality. The feminine theory is
focused on basic moral insights in relation to gender equality because it highlights the
necessity to handle discrimination of women, providing guidelines for morality and
ethical consistency. This theory is considered to be the most satisfactory moral answer
to the issue of gender equality, comparing with utilitarianism and virtue ethics.

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