Age-old bias for boys creates issues for China. Human trafficking is not the solution!!!

Women in China and neighboring east Asian countries are viewed as being of lesser value when compared to men. The Chinese traditionally prefer sons to daughters because of economical factors and I suppose this is somewhat understandable because residents in poorer regions rely on family resources to survive. However sayings among Chinese peasants like “The birth of a boy is welcomed with shouts of joy and firecrackers, but when a girl is born, the neighbors say nothing” upset me. I do not understand why a saying like this can be so common when in reality without women, all birth would be impossible!

We all know about China’s one-child population control policy which officially restricts the number of children an urban couple can have. And most are aware of China’s long tradition of son preference which is deeply rooted in the structure of the society. But the combination of tradition and policy has proved dangerous for women and young girls. There is currently a significant gender gap in several Asian countries because the birth rate of males in comparison to females is imbalanced. Such imbalance has created social issues and caused an increase in crime.

In many Asian countries human trafficking is on the rise due to a shortage of marriageable women. It is hard for men to find wives because their potential mates are often nonexistent due to the high percentage of families engaging in late term sex-selective abortion and infanticide. Now there is a demand for abducted women especially in poor rural areas where residents lack legal knowledge and are desperate to find work. Often women and children are tricked by unlicensed job and marriage agencies, lured through false promises of legitimate employment. Many are kidnapped and forced into marriages and prostitution. These victims suffer physically and psychologically and are often cut off from their families completely.
The Chinese government is working to reduce corruption and other economic crimes. Police are taking action and have made arrests within the human trafficking ring. I believe the issue can not simply be solved through these arrests however, it is also necessary for the Chinese to change their view of women. The chaos caused by the imbalanced sex ratio should be an indicator to the Chinese people that sustaining a female population is vital. It is quite simple, without women there are no babies, no female babies, no male babies! Yes, China is overpopulated but a country that is exclusively male just can’t work!
I’d like to see China’s perspective of women change for the better. Perhaps when women are valued, human trafficking, sex selective abortion and many of the other social issues will go away.

From Degrassi to Drake: Does rap's newest addition respect women?

POP CULTURE UPDATE! With a feminist twist of course...

I don't know how many of you are as entirely infatuated with the Canadian television show called "Degrassi: The Next Generation" but it is one of my favorite soap operas. Degrassi's ridiculous drama always ends with the perfect moral message, a la 7th Heaven, and holds absurdly terrible but endearing acting abilities of sweet Canadian actors making it, obviously, the best thing I have ever seen.

My immensely positive experience with the characters of Degrassi lead me to expect only the best from "Drake", or Aubrey Drake Graham, the newest addition to the American rap scene, who plays the wealthy, attractive, but sensitive Jimmy Brooks on "Degrassi". I will admit my initial interest in Drake's, “Best I Ever Had” was entirely fueled by my realization that he was the star of my favorite show but I was further intrigued by the popular opinion that Drake's public appeal and success was based in his “respect for women".

Since popular rap music usually gives me a throbbing headache as the sexist sound waves hit me in the face, I was excited to see that Drake, aka "Jimmy Brooks", was promoting a female friendly rap song.

But, sadly, I was mistaken.

Drake gave up the good natured “Jimmy Brooks” for the American rap scene. His lyrics are simply more of the same with a chorus that sounds kind of like a compliment with “You the F*cking best”, while the "compliment" hinges on the availability and sexual skills of the woman in question.

Drake follows with praising his female companion for withholding sex ("she make me beg for it till she give it up") but only for a time. Would he like her as much if she never actually "gave it up" or wasn't ready for sex?

Asking women to withhold their own sexual desires, but also always be ready to "give it up" when asked, is a constant double standard perpetuated by countless outlets of media today. Drake is not "respecting" women, he is simply demanding women do what he wants or else they won't be "the F*cking best".

Also, you should check out the video Kanye West invented for Drake which even further emphasizes Drake's opinion on what makes a worth while woman.

The implication that women are only successful as partners or girlfriends if they constantly engage in sexual acts or fantasies is one of the most detrimental aspects of pop culture and music today. Young girls grow up believing their worth as a human being is bound up with how attractive men think they are. This idea penetrates race and class and fall upon all women who are subjected to these lyrics.

Obviously, I am disappointed in Drake. But no matter how hard he tries to be the next Lil' Wayne, Drake will always be Jimmy Brooks to me, the nice Canadian boy from Degrassi High who scolded his friend Spinner for treating their gay friend differently, who forgave the man who caused his paralysis,and was an aspiring rapper while trapped in a wheelchair. Maybe if I hold him to this image Jimmy Brooks can make a reappearance in Drake. Until then I suggest watching Degrassi, especially the first few seasons, and ignore Drake until he lives up to his promise of empowering women.