My most attractive adversary

Opinion piece on “ My Most Attractive Adversary” by Madeleine Begun Kane. This is a very interesting essay which deals with the differences between the way men and women relate to each other in the workplace. I am very much in favor of equality and respect between men and women. It always seems strange to me when people suggest that women are in some way less valuable or less important than men. In my experience women are often cleverer and more patient than men, and they deserve admiration for their courage in dealing with prejudice.
The author of this essay explains how difficult it is for women when men make remarks which emphasize the physical differences between males and females. I think it is not fair when men do this, because it is not the fault of women that our world gives so many advantages to men. Part of the problem lies in the fact that there are more men than women in senior positions in the workplace. For many centuries men have been the ones to hold all the power and money in society and now things are gradually changing. It seems to me that some of the remarks that men make are an example of jealousy and fear. Men who make flattering remarks to women want to show that they are in control and part of the dominant group. By making women different, they are excluding women from the group.
This essay reflects the cultural values of the United States. In some countries, such as in the Middle East or parts of Asia, for example, very few women take up senior and professional roles. It may be that in future both men and women in these countries will also have to rethink their use of language in relation to issues of gender in the workplace.