(February 28, 2003 ) — It is important to examine why the concept of feminism even exists. Historically, women have been treated as an inferior part of the community in just about every section of society. Hence, it is hardly surprising when, as society becomes more sophisticate and liberated, any minority group will want to take on an equal or more important role. Judge a person on his/her abilities, experience and attitude- it shouldn’t matter whether they are male, female, black or white. However, has feminism revolutionized the world for women, or has it simply created a society of enforced values? At a very basic level, it is entirely appropriate that nobody should be harassed in any shape or form. But now we have an environment where sexual harassment cases are built upon a male coworker using a sexual swear word in front of a woman. Sexual harassment is far more serious. And in a politically correct world gone mad, we seem to have lost sigh of this. Some of my female friends complain that feminism has gone too far and that their very femininity is being worn away. For example, following a sexual harassment case, male employees were advised that they should not open doors for other employees, as female employees might interpret this as prejudice. Are you kidding me? Is not holding a door open for someone just good manners? Apparently not. Many women enjoy the courtesy of having doors opened and in many ways do not want to be treated otherwise. Fear of being reprimanded under some bizarre equality contract mean that men may start to feel a pressure to become something they don’t want to be. We live in a society where women are expected to be career-driven, with the “housewife” image being frowned upon. Many women use their gender to their own advantage. In the workplace, women have been known to play the gender card to avoid a change in working conditions, constructed around some pathetic excuse that women can’t cope with certain work. In addition, I find myself confronted by women who seem to be completely obsessed with the fact they are female. My aunt’s workplace managed to, single-handedly, place females in all the key positions. This gives out a very negative message that says men should treat women equally, but it’s okay for women to do what they want. Feminism challenges the traditional roles that women play in society. Had this been something strategic, such as the voting system, then I would have believed it appropriate to ensure that discrimination does not take place. However, the whole principle has just taken too far. Society seems to have forgotten how to celebrate the differences between men and women and allow people to enjoy being one or the other. Feminism has gone too far –and the effect is damaging to both men and women.