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Comment by Jtsummers | Hacker News Reader

Don't say never. You think police or fire departments or military are highly paid or safe? Many women have fought for the chance to show they can do those jobs.

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Sure, that's where prestige comes in. For many people, the social standing of their job is as if not more important than their pay. But my point stands. Real equality must permeate all jobs.

Fought for what? 50% representation?

I suppose there are some who want that, but many just want the opportunity. Why is this so hard for you to grasp? Barring people from an activity strictly because of their gender or race is absurd. The race barrier has huge holes in it today, and the gender barrier is being torn apart as well.

Here's an example (from my example professions). Women in the police forces used to be relegated to meter maids, secretarial/administrative roles and other "safe" jobs. Promotion into positions like detective were not open, or only open for the rare ones that caught the right persons attention or had some other pull (family, political, whatever) or the one who did 10x what their male colleagues did to show they were capable. Today those barriers are gone (going away?).

Yes, those 'barriers' are gone because female firefighters, soldiers, etc. are subject to lesser physical requirements than the men are. Hope you're not too fat for her to carry you out of the burning building.

The part that is difficult for me to grasp is why they want to be 50% of all the CEOs but not of all the Policemen. I mean it's very easy for me to explain (i.e. they want special treatment for themselves). But I'd love to see you struggling to explain to me why is that and not look ridiculously funny.

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