The conversation shifted, with Hassinah complaining that men were treated better at home than women. “The boys don’t have to wash the dishes. Why?” she said. “Why the difference? If I had a boy or girl, I would treat them equal.
“Women are supposed to work all day and come home and clean and cook — no way,” she fumed, her hands firmly on her knees.
[Hassinah's father] Mr. Bou Bekeur seemed pleased. “Women have more opportunities today than they used to. Women can participate in sports and still be respected,” he said in his naturally soft voice.
“No,” Hassinah said, gently, shaking her head at her father. “My way of thinking is more influenced by religion. My religion tells me ‘no, that’s not right.’ ”
I don't mean to be a self-righteous pedant, but it seems clear to me that if you insist on avoiding opportunities to prove to others that you are their equal, you shouldn't be surprised when they fail to treat you like an equal. It seems to me that people love placing others in social categories--particularly lower social categories. If you don't push your order in those categories, you may have to push a dishrag instead.
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