Here, we’ll be going into quite a sensitive topic that has been here for ages. The issue of why women get judged for smoking, and a lot of other things, yet men don’t. This issue has been here since the beginning of society, honestly. Whatever women do, they are always more criticized than men. Most times men just get let off the hook anyway. Now in 2021, women are starting to rise and stand up for, simply, basic human rights. Yet they are still getting judged and being called irrational or aggressive. Women are just tired of being in the shadow of men and honestly, it’s very apparent that a lot of men feel threatened.
Even at the statement of “equal rights”, men are rebutting with the argument of “equal rights, equal fights”. This being meant that if women want equal rights, men can hit women. This is honestly so saddening, especially since a lot of women have been abused beforehand anyway, and now men what to beat up women even more. It’s terrifying too, honestly. A lot of men have even made an effort to deem a certain date, “National Rape Day”. This went viral across social media and women were told to be extra careful on that specific date. Women already go through a lot to protect themselves from the dangers of the world and yet this is put as the cherry on top. As a woman myself, I felt terrified for my life.
Aside from that though, there are a lot of things women do that a lot of people would consider normal yet get criticized for. On the other hand, men get let off the hook. Here is a little explanation to shed light on the situation:
The Never-Ending Sexism
As mentioned before, this issue has been going on for ages. The main issue would be sexism. A quick Google search of the term defines this as prejudice or discrimination, typically towards women. How bad does it have to be for even Google to see it as such? The worst part is that we still have a large percentage of people who are sexist in our society. We’re living in the 21st century and a lot of people are still living in the 19th century. By that I mean, they still live with the mindset of how women belong in the kitchen and all that nonsense. According to that logic, then men should be working 9-5 jobs good enough to provide for women, am I wrong? In reality, we can’t afford to only have one working adult to keep the household whole in the economy we live in now. Thus, that logic becomes void.
Due to sexism though, a lot of women are getting criticized for the things that men also do but get away with. One of them, may I say one of the most unreasonable ones, is having body hair. Having body hair is completely normal for any human being but why does it become a problem when women have body hair? It makes no sense. Another one that strikes a sort of anger in women is the fact that being a boss becomes bossy only when it is a woman. People don’t give the same respect that men get when women are bosses. They are called bossy and uptight. Finally to the point of the case, smoking. Even vaping, honestly. A man gets no questions when he goes into a store to buy vape juice but a woman gets judged for doing so. Some vape stores have even gone to the lengths of not wanting to sell to women because they deem it as something a woman should not be doing.
We live in an era where women are starting to do what makes them happy. If what makes them happy is a good cigarette or a puff of vape, then why judge her? Men smoke everywhere, vape in people’s faces but no one says a thing. However, the minute people see a woman smoking, it’s unladylike and disgusting. Come on, people. Wake up and see that women should no longer be under the patronizing judgement of anyone else except themselves.
How We Can Change That Mindset
Try to educate yourselves on sexism and how patriarchy is affecting women. Learn that women nowadays should already be able to do what they wish. Be it to smoke or have body hair. It’s sad to see how much effort women put in to make themselves somewhat perfect while men sit back and enjoy their cigarettes out in the open.
Bottom line is, everyone is their own person. You can’t expect to control anyone else’s life except for your own. It’s getting old to see how men are still caught up with criticizing every single thing a woman does. Sit down and just simply, mind your own business.
