Essay.docx

Allan Kenneth R. Aman STEM 11B7

RESPECT Respect is a comprehensive term, and it is interpreted in many ways. Your actions mostly earn you respect, but it is always important to remember that it is a two-way street. It is considered ethical behavior, but in this day and age, people are becoming more evil and selfish. When you respect a person, then the person also respects you. The three vital things to have respect for is, respect oneself, respect for others and respect for property. There usually is a strive to teach about respect. Hence, you will find parents teaching their children, teachers too; as well as religious leaders educating the society. Everybody deserves respect regardless of their gender, age, race or their beliefs. It is something everyone wants, not many have, and few want to give. Most people would appreciate "just a little bit," and most should give just that. Unfortunately, a lot of the time, this does not happen. Perhaps this is because the concept of respect is not understood. What exactly is respect? The dictionary defines it as an act of giving particular attention or high or special regard. This does not explain what it is; it only outlines what it may be. In general, though, respect can be broken down into three main forms. The first is the respect of others. "Others" includes your peers, teachers, parents, and everyone else. It is adding a ma'am or sir when you talking to a person or to your teacher. It is in obeying in class and not being rowdy in the hallway. It is in respecting their ideas and what they stand for. It is what brings people together, and if not used, it is what can tear people apart. The second form of respect is the respect of property. This includes anything from writing on a desk at school to stealing from a department store. Property, whether it is the schools, a company's, a stranger's, or a friend, should always be respected. Respect means taking that extra few seconds to drive the speed limit so as not to hit anyone or anything. It means not smashing a pumpkin at Halloween just for fun. It means not throwing that piece of trash on the ground. That is respect. Lastly, one must respect his or herself. This respect is holding your head high and respecting your own opinions. It’s acknowledging that you have ideas and then sharing them because you are not afraid of what others may think. It is not letting peer pressure and other things affect the way you think or want to think. Respect for yourself is the most important of all because without it, you would have no respect for others. Now that you know a brief, but clearer, explanation, of respect, practice it. Practice at school, at home, or at work. Say thank you, please, and you're welcome. Clear your dishes, don't beat up your little brother, and try not to block the hallway. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts and opinions. Respect other people, their property, and above all, respect yourself. The essence of this activity is that if you want to earn respect for yourself, you must first respect the rights of others. And by giving respect to your fellow men, you are also respecting and giving praise to the Almighty God who is the source of all goodness in this world. According to the Holy Bible: “Love one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another. (Romans 12:10)

Patrick Robert M. Grado STEM 11 B-7

Feminism Most of the people when they hear the word feminism, assumptions are created-- it is Feminism is the hatred towards men where it belittles men and ‘the male role’ in society, and that only women can be feminist. Likewise, women are disadvantaged in comparison to men. It considers how culture can be different between genders. But when we look to its meaning from Encyclopædia Britannica, it defines that Feminism is the belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Although largely originating in the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed to activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests. A long time ago in our country, women are not allowed to study. We have this social fact that if you are a woman you are supposed to be staying at home and now getting ready for arranged marriage but have no right to divorce. Filipina is expected to be "mahinhin". To illustrate, Filipina should be a feminine type; demure, good upbringing, and graceful. It reminds me of a character in Jose Rizal's novel entitled "Noli Me Tangere" wherein Maria Clara is the ideal reflection of Filipina Women. Moreover, Filipina women are expected to be good only in household chores and not given the privilege to learn, to join politics, be professional etc. during the Spanish Era. These examples explain discrimination, stereotyping, sexual objectification, oppression, and patriarchy that creates the idea in raising the flag of feminism worldwide. But how about the situation imprinted to Filipino's mind since we were young. Consider the following when a girl finds aggravating when we cannot imply the word being "gentleman". For instance, I saw this post when I was browsing on facebook. A woman is complaining when a male is not voluntary giving his seat and telling men should be gentleman at all times because again they are women, weaker than men. Is this what they call feminism? For me this is not, this is just a Filipino culture, our gender roles, I treat ladies with respect and courtesy but to the point that someone will be mad at me for not giving my seat, opening the doors for her, etc. promotes inequality. Men are also human, who have rights and gets tired for some reasons, and maybe they have a long exhausting trip, that’s why they keep their chairs by themselves. Some men and women are so ill informed where they believe this is what feminism means, people claim to be feminists and are just actually using this movement to promote their misandry, I am not saying that I am and expert in feminism, as an example, some women generalize all men are cheaters. This is not feminism! On my opinion, feminism is the idea that shows equal, social, political etc. rights for women. Feminism is for men and women. It is equally important that men also empower women to help address what we see imbalance in our society or vice versa. We can be whatever we want of how we express ourselves, be a genderfluid, androgynous, masculine or feminine regardless of stereotypes.