In either video, audio, or text on social media there is a debate about gender roles that mirrors what is going on offline. How should the roles of women and men be defined?
Should they be based on religious doctrine, traditionalism, humanism or what the local community defines them to be? Should women and men define their own roles as they see fit? Is this commentary actually about fixing a problem or is it about venting and trolling others because someone is dissatisfied?
If you examine the arguments for any of these approaches online, the proponents tend to follow a common formula. In each case, they give examples of how people (men or women) are either disadvantaged or victimized by how things were, are, or will be if their point of view is not realized. For people who are hurting, unhappy, or disillusioned with life, one of these points of view may speak to their situation and sympathizes with their position. Are solutions or actionable steps proposed that will actually make the majority of people’s lives better? Not really.
Does social media content pertaining to these issues change people’s opinions or amplify them? The young are probably more malleable in their beliefs and could possibly change their mind. Those who are older will probably look for content that speaks to their beliefs and reinforces them. Content creators have different motivations when trying to defend, attack, or critique an issue. Some of the participants are researchers who are offering thought provoking analysis of what is going on right now and what may take place in the future. Their participation may be solely from a position of public service or primarily public good with a commercial angle. This is in contrast to others who may simply be targeting points of view that are controversial to get ad impressions, pay per clicks, or to promote a social or political agenda.
Does the available content heal or hurt? Telling people that is okay to conduct oneself in a way that is hurtful and derogatory to others is not healthy. Providing justification for behavior and allowing individuals to escape responsibility for their own actions is not good for society. Promoting toxicity and negativity may make some individuals feel better knowing that someone sees their point of view, it does inherently provide solutions that can be implemented in the workplace, out and about in society, or at home.
Regardless of your position on any of these topics and how important they are to your unique situation, what is clear is that many people are passionately divided on change and there will not be a perfect resolution that cures all ills.
