Charlotte Perkins Gilmore, Author or Yellow Wallpaper, Show No Matter Our Differences, Everyone Deserves Equality

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Everyone has the ability to be a functioning member of society, despite any dissimilarity or obstacles in their life; diverse individuals who stand out are often taken advantage of and targeted. Equality is a right that everyone should be entitled to on all levels, despite gender or any mental, physical or developmental differences. The belief that women are the weaker sex and are more susceptible to mental and emotional breakdowns is a stereotype that in cross-culturally adhered to in our society, and although some may not conform to this belief, it is still embedded into the history of our culture and effects how civilization functions. The Yellow Wallpaper is a short story that discusses the effects of a woman who is being sanctioned rather than treated for her mental illness. The author Charlotte Perkins Gilman writes about an experience similar to her own, where the main character suffers from post-partum depression and is being treated by her husband who believes that her illness is being caused by too much mental activity and lack of attention for housework. Individuals with mental illness, specifically women, still face the stigma that they cannot perform tasks as well as their peers. Surrounding these people with the idea that they are incapable of certain tasks will allow them to behave exactly as society perceives them: non -functioning. It is more beneficial to encourage someone to strive for success, rather than put them down and convince them that they are worthless. Similarly, The Story of an Hour, written by Kate Chopin reflects on her life by exploring sexism and oppression in marriage. When the main character obtains news that her husband tragically passes away, she finds comfort in knowing that she is now free ... ... middle of paper ... ...isabilities can be just as harmful to them as being too hard on them, as they just want to be treated equally and to fit in. Instead of focusing what we can see and differentiate from others, we should think of every individual as someone with the ability to excel. Despite any hindrances in one’s life, it is important to treat every individual as an equal, functioning member in the community. It is simple to act the way society wants you to, but it is important to stray away from debilitating stereotypes and prove that individuals who are different and may have more complications in their life can be powerful and make a difference in the world. As I continue through life, I will take with me an important lesson that I have been told before, but did not quite understand the significance of until now: despite any obstacles, everyone is capable of achieving greatness.

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