the girl effect
By Pat Law™ • Jul 1st, 2008 • Category: The Social Whore
I come from a family where gender bias true to the traditional Teochew culture, concentrated in a couple of fists, has resulted in my fiercely independent and ambitious personality. Save for my legal rights in this country to an education, I faced discrimination growing up because of my sex. That said, at least I have my legal rights in this country. I can’t say the same for the 600 million girls living in the developing world.
I’m a girl, and broadcasting this message is the least I can do. Help a girl today. Even if you’re not one.
Check the brilliantly crafted video here.
Pat Law™is a Digital Strategist who, in her time in the Adland, has marketed a range of global brands including adidas, Cadbury Schweppes, Chrysler, Harley-Davidson, Hewlett-Packard, Johnnie Walker, L’Oréal, and Royal Salute. A self-confessed Social Media junkie, Pat has since joined the 360° Digital Influence team at Ogilvy PR. Pat also writes for iSh, LOTL International, and Singapore Architect.
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I come from a traditional Teochew family. It is simply amazing that any of us males actually grew up treating women as more than just workers in the kitchen. During Chinese New Year, if I ever tried to wash my own dishes, my mom would get a scolding from the Grandma. Apparently, the men cannot be seen doing such work. We get to enjoy watching tv and lazing around while the ladies have to be in the kitchen fussing over the preparation of the food and eventual cleanup.
I think my sister’s independent streak is in no small part due to what she saw was happening to the older women in my mom’s generation and her refusal to get pigeonholed into some ‘role’.
Hello, Ian Timothy…
Thanks for sharing your views with us. I reckon it’s quite extreme. You either get the typical Teochew man who is a complete wimp, incapable of carrying responsibilities on their shoulders, and honestly think that he can get away with anything or the one who ends up appreciating women and showing their appreciation with real actions.
Don’t you just find it laughable when they go boasting about like a damn clown (like all Teochews, myself included, do) and have absolutely nothing to show for substance? Oh I’d like to meet one that walks the talk.