I accidentally voted for the wrong option, since I got confused for a second.
Anyways, it's my opinion that women have it easier than men in the long run. Yes, women have it hard too, and there are many double-standards they have to put up with, but I ultimately choose men as the ones who have it harder because it's our destiny to control and maintain society, industry, economy, etc. We have to maintain the country and ourselves and those we're responsible for. On an individual level, it may not seem as daunting, but when you look at the big picture you quickly realize that regardless of how or why we got to this point, man has always been the one with the responsibility, regardless of whether he wanted it, or excluded women from sharing in it.
Women have to put up with alot, but a woman always has the option of taking the easy way out and getting married and having a man take care of everything in exchange for loving support of the man and the upkeep of their dwelling. Women have it harder for taking care of kids and all that entails, especially when they sacrifice their dreams and goals or put them on hold indefinitely for the sake of the family and/or for the sake of the husband and seeing that his goals live.
Times are changing, though, and women are coming closer and closer to the front lines of responsibility, as they are more empowered (usually by themselves) and so all I've said may someday be reversed. But, until that day comes, it is my opinion that women have it easier, especially in the early going of life, where it's easier to secure long-term security in exchange for marriage. A man, on the other hand, has to work harder, earlier on to have a shot at the same security, because he has to work on multiple fronts to attain the same thing and maintain it not just for himself but the other mouths he's responsible for feeding. Women may share responsibilities, but they're not the ones responsible for their husband or children or even themselves, financially. A wife can sit on the sidelines whereas a husband has to be in the trenches. She has a choice, he does not. For men, in a traditional household, a man must be a multi-tasker in life. He must hold down the job, pay the bills, love and nurture his children, pamper and love his wife, pay the taxes, give his wife and children an allowance, control his money and assets wisely, if religious make sure his children are led by example, and all the other numerous things. A wife can share in this responsibility, but she is never ultimately accountable for it. If a man gives his wife the responsibility of paying bills with his money (perhaps a responsibility she wanted and he gave her) it's ultimately his hide and that of his family's if she makes mistakes on his behalf. While they are both a liability unto eachother in this way, it is the man who has to account for more if something goes wrong. People will be knocking on the same door, for example, but they'll ask to talk to him...or demand it. LOL...
I think this is all true, especially as women are getting into martial arrangements at younger and younger ages, before they're mentally mature enough to even be playing house, let alone sharing a mature man and woman's responsibility. Younger women cause older men grief. Unless she's mature herself in every way she needs to be, the man will have his hands full with yet another task that burdens him even more. It's just very one-sided against men sometimes, and it lasts a lifetime. While there is a portion or fraction of society where the situation may be reversed, it's nowhere near as plentiful or a classic example of how these things usually work.
If I could sum up my opinion concisely, it would be like this:
Men have to work harder earlier in order to have it easier later. Their responsibilities are more numerous in a traditional household, and these responsibilities are spread wide. Men don't have a choice. They have to do what is called of them all the time, and their responsibilities constantly expand.
Women have it easier sooner and moderately harder later. The level of that responsibility is directly proportionate to their willingness and desire to have and pursue it in the first place. A woman's role is often specialized to specific areas and only increased as there is a need, desire, or request for it.
Of course, I'm talking about marriage. Ideally, a man and his wife would be working as a team and helping each other so that neither has it easier or more difficult than the other. Thats balance and it's what's right for them and whats right for their children.
