Societal Feud

The subject of human equality should not be in discussion considering how most societies have progressed in terms of marriage equality. I especially thought this was the case, until today.

This afternoon, a Family Feud episode aired, and I thought that I should watch it seeing as it is another televised competition that I could potentially take part in. Little did I know that there was a prejudicial undertone awaiting my watchful eye, and I was lucky to spot it.

Two families were against each other, both heterosexual-based with its mix of daughters and sons. I saw this as a coincidence, for surely Australia is mildly accepting of other recognisable family types that have come to be in the social norm as of late. This was not the case, for upon the asking of the question, 'name something every handyman should have', one of the top answers were 'woman/wife'.

How has nobody declared this as preposterous? How can we televise, on Network Ten's neighbouring network Ricky Martin, a husband to another man and a father, on The Voice for its second season yet not recognise firstly handymen to be women, and secondly handymen to, if they were indeed men, have husbands? What is wrong with the acknowledgement of same-sex couples? Why are we allowing our audiences to subliminally agree to the social categorisation of sexualities?

Each person should be able to express their sexuality freely, and not preach it unto others. This is a way of preaching. A child unbeknownst to social wars that have been happening for freedom and rights, would accept this little 'joke' as the truth, as cement knowledge, that every tough handyman needs to have tools and wives. This both objectifies women and demeans the advancement of gay rights.

It upsets me that these sorts of malicious undertones still are prevalent on our televised shows. This is almost as bad as The Simpsons episode that made even me feel pressured into smoking a cigarette aired. I, naturally, sent my complaint to the network only to have no reply. I feel somehow that this could result in the same thing if I were to complain about it.

Undertones like this sets our society back. We should not have to be told who to love. Handymen should be able to love other handymen too, and handywomen can be handywomen without having the word underlined in red signifying that it is wrong and does not exist.