Even the “all-knowing” ChatGPT could not pinpoint a definite moment in history when the push for gender equality started. One thing, however, is undeniable—equality must have been demanded by those who felt less privileged because one cannot fight to be equal to those in a lesser privileged position.

With only two sexes in the world, it is a no-brainer as to which felt less privileged, and therefore, motivated to demand equality. But what exactly sparked it all? 

John C. Maxwell asserts that "everything rises and falls on leadership." This is why leadership is indispensable in all institutions—there must be someone with whom the buck stops.

The responsibility of leadership accords leaders both authority and privilege. Without authority, leaders cannot effect change. And without privilege, many would not be incentivised to take it on. However, in typical human nature style, the accorded authority is often abused, giving rise to oppression and marginalisation of some, as those in leadership pursue selfish interests at the expense of the common good. This, I believe, is what largely led to the push for equality by women.

The solution to a leader’s abuse of power, however, is not making everyone a leader. 

Take the example of a typical family where we find parents and children. Like in all institutions, parents often abuse the authority they have over their children. Many have neglected their children or treated them unfairly.

If we are to borrow from the gender equality push, would we say that the solution to parents' abuse of power is to push for equality between the parents and the children? 

In advocating for gender equality, there is a push to have women take up all the roles that men play, so that they, too, have authority and privileges. In the family, it has been asked: Why should the man be the breadwinner—with all the money? Men have also been challenged to take care of infants. Ironically, even in homes that claim to practise “gender equality”, few would consider hiring a male babysitter.

Men and women each have roles they are naturally well-suited for, and for a society to function well, each sex has to fulfill their responsibilities. When we push a sex into roles that do not align with their natural strengths or traditional responsibilities, their primary roles end up neglected, while they also get overburdened.

Our forefathers were no saints, but neither were they foolish. As they observed life over a long time (with not as many distractions as we have today), there were roles they designated as primary responsibilities of each sex. 

Where we have abuse of authority by any sex, the sustainable and fair solution is to demand accountability because abuse of power is not exclusive to any sex. Men and women should each exercise gender ownership by fulfilling the non-abusive and non-exploitative duties and responsibilities assigned to them.

We should also remember that we, the fathers and mothers of today, are tomorrow's fore-parents. If we expect our children to heed the wisdom we have attained over the years, we too should not ignore our fore-parents’ wisdom.

Sex-specific roles are bound to change with time. However, before discarding those assigned by our fore-parents, we must carefully examine and probe the wisdom behind them.

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