Allan Kenneth R.

Aman
STEM 11B7

RESPECT

Respect is a comprehensive term, and it is interpreted in many ways. Your actions mostly earn
you respect, but it is always important to remember that it is a two-way street. It is considered ethical
behavior, but in this day and age, people are becoming more evil and selfish. When you respect a person,
then the person also respects you. The three vital things to have respect for is, respect oneself, respect for
others and respect for property. There usually is a strive to teach about respect. Hence, you will find
parents teaching their children, teachers too; as well as religious leaders educating the society. Everybody
deserves respect regardless of their gender, age, race or their beliefs.

It is something everyone wants, not many have, and few want to give. Most people would
appreciate "just a little bit," and most should give just that. Unfortunately, a lot of the time, this does not
happen. Perhaps this is because the concept of respect is not understood. What exactly is respect? The
dictionary defines it as an act of giving particular attention or high or special regard. This does not
explain what it is; it only outlines what it may be. In general, though, respect can be broken down into
three main forms.

The first is the respect of others. "Others" includes your peers, teachers, parents, and everyone
else. It is adding a ma'am or sir when you talking to a person or to your teacher. It is in obeying in class
and not being rowdy in the hallway. It is in respecting their ideas and what they stand for. It is what
brings people together, and if not used, it is what can tear people apart.

The second form of respect is the respect of property. This includes anything from writing on a
desk at school to stealing from a department store. Property, whether it is the schools, a company's, a
stranger's, or a friend, should always be respected. Respect means taking that extra few seconds to drive
the speed limit so as not to hit anyone or anything. It means not smashing a pumpkin at Halloween just
for fun. It means not throwing that piece of trash on the ground. That is respect.

Lastly, one must respect his or herself. This respect is holding your head high and respecting your
own opinions. It’s acknowledging that you have ideas and then sharing them because you are not afraid of
what others may think. It is not letting peer pressure and other things affect the way you think or want to
think. Respect for yourself is the most important of all because without it, you would have no respect for
others.

Now that you know a brief, but clearer, explanation, of respect, practice it. Practice at school, at
home, or at work. Say thank you, please, and you're welcome. Clear your dishes, don't beat up your little
brother, and try not to block the hallway. Don't be afraid to share your thoughts and opinions. Respect
other people, their property, and above all, respect yourself.

The essence of this activity is that if you want to earn respect for yourself, you must first respect
the rights of others. And by giving respect to your fellow men, you are also respecting and giving praise
to the Almighty God who is the source of all goodness in this world. According to the Holy Bible: “Love
one another warmly as Christians, and be eager to show respect for one another. (Romans 12:10)
Patrick Robert M. Grado

STEM 11 B-7

Feminism

Most of the people when they hear the word feminism, assumptions are created-- it is Feminism
is the hatred towards men where it belittles men and ‘the male role’ in society, and that only women can
be feminist. Likewise, women are disadvantaged in comparison to men. It considers how culture can be
different between genders. But when we look to its meaning from Encyclopædia Britannica, it defines
that Feminism is the belief in the social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Although largely
originating in the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions
committed to activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.

A long time ago in our country, women are not allowed to study. We have this social fact that if
you are a woman you are supposed to be staying at home and now getting ready for arranged marriage but
have no right to divorce. Filipina is expected to be "mahinhin". To illustrate, Filipina should be a feminine
type; demure, good upbringing, and graceful. It reminds me of a character in Jose Rizal's novel entitled
"Noli Me Tangere" wherein Maria Clara is the ideal reflection of Filipina Women. Moreover, Filipina
women are expected to be good only in household chores and not given the privilege to learn, to join
politics, be professional etc. during the Spanish Era. These examples explain discrimination, stereotyping,
sexual objectification, oppression, and patriarchy that creates the idea in raising the flag of feminism
worldwide. But how about the situation imprinted to Filipino's mind since we were young. Consider the
following when a girl finds aggravating when we cannot imply the word being "gentleman".

For instance, I saw this post when I was browsing on facebook. A woman is complaining when a
male is not voluntary giving his seat and telling men should be gentleman at all times because again they
are women, weaker than men. Is this what they call feminism? For me this is not, this is just a Filipino
culture, our gender roles, I treat ladies with respect and courtesy but to the point that someone will be mad
at me for not giving my seat, opening the doors for her, etc. promotes inequality. Men are also human,
who have rights and gets tired for some reasons, and maybe they have a long exhausting trip, that’s why
they keep their chairs by themselves. Some men and women are so ill informed where they believe this is
what feminism means, people claim to be feminists and are just actually using this movement to promote
their misandry, I am not saying that I am and expert in feminism, as an example, some women generalize
all men are cheaters. This is not feminism! On my opinion, feminism is the idea that shows equal, social,
political etc. rights for women. Feminism is for men and women. It is equally important that men also
empower women to help address what we see imbalance in our society or vice versa. We can be whatever
we want of how we express ourselves, be a genderfluid, androgynous, masculine or feminine regardless
of stereotypes.