“First place, $50
Velia Chico, 15,Eagle Rock HS
I am a Latina female, and even though I have had a hard life because of it, I’m proud of being a female.
When my parents got divorced, my father fought for my brother’s custody and rejected me, because I was a girl. I still remember my dad’s words when he said to me “Men suffer less. Your brother is not going to get pregnant in his teenage years. He is stronger than you. He can carry heavy stuff and help me workâyou can’t. You belong with your mother, you’re supposed to cook and help around the house.” I was a little girl then. I understood what he said. But I still don’t understand why he separated me from my brother.
Why do some people think that women are inferior to men? Because they still don’t realize that their philosophy is ridiculous and ignorant.
Women have proved that we are more than a fine body and pretty face. Nowadays we stand out for our intelligence and for being independent. Women are liberated. We go out and get a career by preparing. We are competent in jobs. The question is not what sex you are; instead it is how is your brain power? It is not a matter of saying who has it rougher, girls or guys. The person who has it rougher, is the one who wants to have it rougher. Women are capable of doing everything a man can do. The person who has it harder is the person who does not have any sort of preparation.
If my father ever reads this, I’m telling you father, that because I am a female, I belong not in the kitchen cooking, like you said, but sitting behind a desk with a doctorate giving orders. I thank God for letting me be a girl and giving me high self-esteem. What else can I ask for? I’m a happy, liberated female.
Second place, $30
Ryan Sobrevinas, Verdugo Hills HS
Dealing with the pressures of life is tough for everyone, whether if you are a man or woman. Life is especially harder for us guys.
In our society, men are portrayed as strong and courageous beings, who are never too daring to show emotions in front of people. Guys who do show emotions are considered to be less than masculine. Every time a man gets hurt, we are encouraged to take it as a man or suck it up for it is a sign of weakness. Deep down inside we all want to cry and shout, but we force ourselves not to show it. We like to imitate those who are on TV and movies, like Arnold Shwarzeneg-ger and Sylvester Stallone. Men that are expected to show everything that a man should be. Maybe that is the reason why so many men have conflicts with one another, because we are too busy acting tough and exhibiting machoism. Beyond our rough exteriors (for those who possess one) lie softer sides, but we dare not show them for fear of being teased at.
Men die younger than women. We deal with more stress and we are more vulnerable to crime and violence than those of the opposite sex. Men suffer from more heart attacks than women. Heart attacks are the number one cause of death for adult Americans, so thousands of men die every year. And guess what the leading cause of heart attacks are, it is stress. Stress from our careers and families. Men are truly more at risk than women. We take more chances and make more foolish choices.
Men have more high-risk jobs than women, for example, construction and the military. Throughout history and all cultures men fight the wars and die from wars. Women are to stay at home and look after the family. Men are biologically stronger than women. Men are more dependable for these tasks. Men face so many occupational hazards in the world. These are dangers women would never dare take on.
In order for men and women to coexist on this planet we must find a way to resolve our differences. I believe we can do this by switching our roles as man and woman. Once we realize how hard it is to be a man or woman we can fully understand each other and better work with one another with a new respect for the opposite sex, but until then this debate will be greatly argued about in years to come.
Third place, $20
V. Ngyuen, Arroyo Seco Alternative
The answer is definitely girls. When it comes to sports, girls’ sports aren’t even coming close to being equal to guys’ sports. The only sport that women get recognized for is tennis, swimming and gymnastics. And I’ve always wondered why they never have a girls’ football team and why don’t women go on TV for basketball?
When it comes to jobs, that’s the worst. In the business world, they always make it seem like women are little helpless secretaries with skimpy skirts, filing their nails. Why are women always in a lower class than men? The thing I hate the most is when men complain about being sexually harassed, when women are the ones that are.
And I don’t understand about housewives. There they are depending on a man, working off their butts, satisfying his needs. Why don’t men stay home and clean?
Yeah, it’s true that men are slobs and they smell, but they can learn! Women are a lot stronger than men in the heart and mind. I really hope a woman will run for president and clear the path for more women to come. I hope that one day, that in addition to being equal, we will be treated equally.”