Essay 1 man, 40 women By Kip Cates	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
男性１人と女性４０人 筆者が大学生だった７０年代は、フェミニズムが盛んに議論されていた。大学３年の時に助成額の授業が新設され、筆者は早速その授業を受講してみた。「やっと女性の神秘に迫れる」と期待して初日の授業に行ってみると・・・。

Ever since I was a child, I've been interested in sex. Wait! Don't misunderstand me! What I mean is that I've always been interested in the difference between males and females, boys and girls, men and women.

2 I grew up with two sisters, so I wasn't totally ignorant about girls. But, back then, there was an aura of mystery about women that many of us guys were eager to explore.

I went to college in the 1970s when feminism was a hot issue and the women's liberation movement was underway. In my third year, my university established a new Women's Studies course and invited students to apply.

"At last!" I thought, "I can finally learn about the mysterious world of women." I knew this would be a unique cross-cultural encounter. I also realized it was a great chance to meet girls and improve my social life!

I still remember my feelings of excitement, fear and anticipation as I walked to the first class. When I arrived, the room was full. Two teachers -- both female -- were standing at the front. There were 40 students: 38 women and two men. I was glad I wasn't the only male. Unfortunately, the other guy dropped out after the first week!

As you can imagine, it was a very educational experience to be the only guy in a class full of women. Week by week, I began to understand women's thoughts and feelings, their views on life and love plus the issues and dilemmas they encounter in society. Each class was a real eye-opener.

During the semester, we researched social problems such as job discrimination, sexual harassment, domestic violence and rape. We read how women in the past had fought for the right to vote, the right to work and the right to education. We learned about women's struggles to overcome stereotypes and to take control of their lives and bodies.

We studied how women were marginalized and how history books focus on men ("his-story"), not women ("her-story"). We looked at women's issues around the world, including poverty, exploitation and honor killings. We studied inspiring women activists in fields such as science (Marie Curie), health (Margaret Sanger), politics (Rosa Luxemburg), education (Maria Montessori), medicine (Florence Nightingale) and the environment (Rachel Carson).

My Women's Studies course was 40 years ago, but I really learned a lot. I wish every student could take this kind of course at school. Of course, things have changed a lot since then. Women have made amazing progress, but there's still much to be done.

International Women's Day is held each year on March 8. Why not celebrate this by learning about women worldwide and supporting their struggles for freedom, equality and respect? Let's work for a world free of sexism where men and women can live as equals and enjoy their special differences!

Shukan ST: FEBRUARY 22, 2013

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