Jessica McBride thanks all men for their contribution to make our lives better:
As the nation celebrates National Women’s Day, I find myself having conflicted emotions and troublesome thoughts. I am a South African, a woman, and most importantly a mother to a beautiful little girl.
But without my loving fiancé, I would not be the woman I am today. Yes, there were times where woman had little rights to fall back on, and there were times where women had little say in matters, but as we live in a modern society where such matters changed, the roles have undoubtedly switched.
Everyone talks about and congratulates the work and sacrifices that women make, yet we consistently brush off the work and sacrifices that men put in. At least until we feel that they’re obligated to do more for us.
Men. The human male. If you think about it, really think about it, none of us would be here if that one lucky sperm didn’t survive against all odds to be allowed merge with an egg. The resulting union created you and me.
We’re so spoiled that there are people who debate over whether a woman can raise a child — usually a boy — without a father. Fatherhood may not be a traditional job, but it’s the most important role a man can have. Yet even that role gets tossed aside as unimportant.
From 2011 to 2015, 92.5% of employees who died on the job were men. This is because the most dangerous, yet necessary jobs are dominated by men. Such as standing on platforms that are raised 100+ stories high so they can build the houses, skyscrapers, and other structures that we all love so much. And taking apart our broken machines to reconfigure the wires that most of us wouldn’t dare touch. And moving heavy objects around all day, damaging their backs over the years.
Oh, here’s an invention that we take advantage of without expressing gratitude: steel. Notice how there’s no demand for equal opportunity for jobs where employees have to work in 3000+ degree heat, risk breathing in soot, and operate dangerous equipment. The “don’t need no man” crowd won’t be digging in the mines to get their own diamonds. In 2014, it was reported that the steel industry has a death toll of 150 workers per day. 150 employees — almost all men — die every day so that we can have this material that makes it so convenient for us to cross bridges, ride trains, eat without dirtying our hands, and just about everything else.
Let’s not forget the emergency teams. Between criminals, crooked partners, and animosity from civilians who see all cops as bad, police see numerous threats on their lives. Firefighters put their lives on the line when they rush into burning buildings, then have to avoid fiery debris that can crush them, and avoid falling into a hole that leads to the flames on the ground floor. And if that’s not enough, they have to help other people out of there. Police and firefighters risk their lives on a daily basis to save our lives.
In many homes, men are still the sole breadwinner. Dad is the one putting food on the table. The husband is the one busting his ass at work all day to pay the bills so you can stay home with the kids. Dad is the one who earned the money for your video games, clothes, college, etc. Those moments of your childhood that he missed because he was at work? He had to miss them so you could enjoy all that he gave you.
To those of you who have a good relationship with a still-living father, when was the last time you’ve thanked him for all that he’s done for you?
All things considered, it’s fairly amusing how nowadays, it’s considered sexist for a man to be head of the household. And then there’s all the women who throw tantrums at the idea of cooking and cleaning for a man who spent hours making it possible for her to be home all day. But I digress.
To the men I’ve left out, thank you for your contributions to your families and to the world. Whether you’ve been laid off, or you’re a CEO, I salute you. As always, know your worth, gentlemen. Don’t let gynocentrism hide it from you. Just as society says that men have no right to disrespect a woman because we all came from one, women have no right to disrespect you because we all benefit from men’s work.
To understand why men are the way they are, we have to understand our evolutionary heritage and the reason so many of us men still fear not being good enough or successful enough to be accepted and loved by the partner of our dreams.
Thank you.
